Rocket attack on Riyadh airport. There are victims, over 300 people injured

On Saturday, King Khalid International Airport was the target of a rocket attack, which - according to Reuters reports - was attributed to Yemen's Houthi rebels. As a result of the explosion, at least 12 people lost their lives and 309 were injured. The victims include citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the USA, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.

After the attack, passengers were immediately evacuated and air traffic was suspended. Numerous ambulances arrived on site and the injured were transported to hospitals, some of them by air.

The reaction of world leaders

US President Donald Trump described the attack as "horrible" and "unacceptable". He announced that the Americans maintain contact with the Houthis. He also noted that he planned to talk to the Saudi prince.

When asked by journalists about the possibility of the US joining Saudi military operations against the Houthis, Trump replied: Maybe.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned the attack, stressing that a US citizen was among the victims.

"These condemnable attacks demonstrate a blatant disregard for the lives of innocent civilians. They must stop immediately," he wrote on the X platform, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

Closed airport, canceled flights, warnings for travelers

After the attack, air traffic in Riyadh was completely suspended. All flights bound for the Saudi capital have been diverted or canceled. Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways canceled some flights, in some cases until Monday.

Airport authorities urge travelers to check flight status before arrival.

The embassies of Germany, Canada, the US, the UK and Spain urged their citizens to avoid Riyadh airport. A day earlier, France had recommended that trips to the Saudi capital be made only if absolutely necessary.

Further attacks and escalation of the conflict

This is the third attack on the capital's airport this week. Four people were killed in the previous strikes and one of the planes was seriously damaged. On Saturday evening, a missile also landed near the airport in Dammam in the east of the country. Airports in Dammam and Jeddah have become an alternative to the closed port in Riyadh.

The attacks escalated after the launch of an offensive by Yemeni government forces, supported by the Saudi-led coalition, against the Houthis. The rebels declared Saudi airspace a war zone and warned airlines against using it.

In recent days, Saudi military facilities and oil infrastructure have also become the target of attacks.