One killed, 11 injured in second Houthi strike on Riyadh airport in two days

One person has been killed and 11 injured in a second strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to officials. A Saudi military spokesman reported that a projectile hit the airport on Sunday, causing a fire in one of its passenger halls. The Saudi civil aviation authority stated that the deceased was a Pakistani resident. This incident follows a previous strike on the same airport that resulted in 13 fatalities and 308 injuries. The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks and issued warnings to airlines and passengers regarding the use of Saudi airports and airspace. They stated that they targeted the airport using a combination of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones. Additionally, they attacked oil facilities and Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree announced intentions to continue operations deep within Saudi territory, asserting that all Saudi airports, except those in Mecca and Medina, are potential targets. The Houthis have cited Saudi Arabia's support for Yemeni government forces and airstrikes on Sanaa airport as motivations for their actions. On Sunday, Maj Gen Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition, reported that air defenses intercepted a missile near Riyadh airport, while authorities managed the fire caused by the projectile that struck Passenger Hall No 4. US President Donald Trump indicated that the US would quickly decide on a response to the Houthis, while UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting mentioned potential increased support for Saudi Arabia. The recent strike is noted as the deadliest single attack on a Gulf Arab country since the onset of the conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran in February. The Saudi-led coalition condemned the attack as a 'war crime.' Among the deceased were four Saudi nationals, two from Bangladesh, and one each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt, as reported by the Saudi civil aviation authority. The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed that an Indian national died from injuries sustained in the attack. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the strikes, confirming that a US citizen was among the casualties. The UK Foreign Office has advised against travel to parts of Saudi Arabia, including areas within 10 kilometers of the Yemen border. Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported that Saudi forces had conducted an airstrike on Sanaa International Airport, resulting in civilian casualties, including the death of a child. Saudi Arabia has not verified this claim, and the BBC has been unable to confirm it. Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, vice-president of Yemen's internationally recognized government, called for decisive actions from regional and international partners. The recent attacks follow a series of strikes on Saudi airports, including one on Thursday that killed three Saudi nationals. The Houthis claimed responsibility for that attack as well, stating they used cruise missiles. The escalation in violence comes after a ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudi-led forces, established in 2022, collapsed in July. The conflict intensified after the Houthis captured key areas along the Red Sea coast, prompting retaliatory strikes from Saudi Arabia. The Houthis currently control about a quarter of Yemen's territory and a significant portion of its population, with aspirations for complete control. Saudi Arabia is concerned that this could lead to the establishment of an Iranian-aligned state on its southern border. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed readiness to assist in facilitating dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi administration.