Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport was attacked, killing at least 12 people and wounding over 300, marking the deadliest strike in the kingdom in a decade. The attack, which targeted a passenger terminal, has led to temporary suspension of airport operations and heightened tensions in the region.
The Saudi-led military coalition has blamed Yemen's Houthi rebels for the attack, calling it a 'war crime' and vowing a 'decisive response.' The Houthi group, backed by Iran, has not claimed responsibility but has previously targeted the same airport with strikes that killed three people. The attack has also drawn condemnation from the U.S., with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a 'blatant disregard for innocent civilian life' and President Trump considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
The incident has prompted widespread concern, with Western embassies in Saudi Arabia warning citizens to avoid the area and several Gulf airlines canceling flights to the airport. The attack highlights ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who have been escalating their campaign against the kingdom, targeting infrastructure and civilian areas. The Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Houthis since 2015, with a temporary ceasefire in 2022 that has since unraveled, leading to renewed hostilities in the region.