2nd strike on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia airport kills 1 & injures 11, Houthis claim responsibility

One person was killed and 11 injured after an attack was launched at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's international airport on Oct. 11.

This attack comes just one day after a similar strike at the same location killed at least 12 people.

Both attacks were claimed by the Houthis in Yemen.

According to Reuters, Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen said that an unidentified projectile targeted King Khalid International Airport's Terminal 4, causing a fire.

They also claimed that Saudi air defences had intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, as well as a drone in the country's Eastern province and a ballistic missile launched towards Khamis Mushait.

Emergency alerts were also issued in the southern city of Abha, but Saudi authorities have stated that the danger has passed.

Houthis claim responsibility

In a televised speech on Oct. 11, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for Oct. 10's attack.

He added that the group had also struck the airport in Dammam, a port city in Saudi Arabia, and two more facilities of Saudi oil company Saudi Aramco.

Saree also made a separate statement warning against using Saudi airports, announcing that the group considers Saudi airspace and airports as "potential targets and a theatre of military operations".

He also stated that they would make exceptions for airports in Mecca and Medina, the two holiest sites in Islam.

The statements were broadcast on Al-Masirah, a TV channel run by the Houthis.

An eyewitness on board an aircraft at Dammam said that they saw a projectile strike the tarmac besides several parked aircraft, which caused a fire.

The witness said that the aircraft returned to the gate and passengers were told to disembark and evacuate.

"Worse is yet to come"

The two strikes come as part of a military campaign waged by Saudi Arabia on the Houthis, who are fighting a civil war in Yemen against the Saudi-backed government.

The Houthis captured the Yemeni capital of Sanaa in 2014.

Reuters had previously reported that the Yemeni government, backed by Saudi-led coalition forces, announced an offensive on Oct. 4 to retake lost territory from the Houthis along the Red Sea.

The Houthis claimed in their Oct. 11 statement that Saudi Arabia had carried out 124 air strikes on Yemen in the 24 hours prior.

They also warned that unless Saudi Arabia halts its military operations in Yemen, "worse is yet to come".

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is considering joining the Saudis in launching strikes on the Houthis.

More footage of the Oct. 10 strike on King Khalid International Airport has surfaced, with security camera videos being shared online.

Many of the travellers at the site of the attack were pilgrims, preparing to travel to Islamic holy sites.

It was the deadliest attack on the kingdom in more than a decade.

CCTV footage shows the moment an Ansar Allah (Houthi) missile struck Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh yesterday. https://t.co/2UsvBW2CRA

— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) October 11, 2026

Saudis going ahead with major events, but schools switch to remote learning

Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia is still moving forward with major events, such as the World Petroleum Council (WPC) Energy Congress.

The five-day energy conference opened on Oct. 11 as planned at a convention centre just 10km away from Riyadh's airport.

A ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum also went ahead. 

However, representatives from major oil companies such as BP, Shell, and ExxonMobil have withdrew from attending the WPC conference, reported Reuters.

According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, nearly all flights at King Khalid International Airport were cancelled on Oct. 11.

Another 457 flights have been cancelled as of Oct. 12.

Al-Jazeera also reported that all schools in Riyadh will switch to remote learning for a week.

Schools in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, will switch to remote learning for a week following a deadly attack on the city's airport, reports AFP, citing an email sent to parents.

🔴 More on https://t.co/MbrRGkFd1I https://t.co/j1JzC9ccLc

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 11, 2026

In Singapore, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad has urged Singaporeans to be careful during travel, especially for those making pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia.