Fighting in Yemen has intensified after Houthi rebels launched a deadly missile attack on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 12 people and injuring more than 300 others, according to Saudi authorities. The attack marks a significant escalation in the conflict between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
The missile struck a complex containing domestic flight terminals at the airport on Saturday. Those killed included Saudi citizens and nationals from Bangladesh, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Sudan. Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. Airport operations were suspended as authorities assessed the damage and responded to the emergency.
Saudi Arabia and its allies have blamed the Houthis for the attack and threatened a decisive response. The rebels have warned airlines and passengers to avoid most Saudi airports, saying the kingdom's airspace is now a military operations zone, with Mecca and Medina excluded from the warning. Saudi authorities have extended the airport closure, while schools in Riyadh have moved to online learning temporarily.
The latest escalation follows the collapse of a ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in July. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched an offensive against the rebels, while the Saudi-led coalition has carried out airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital, Sanaa. The Houthis have also expanded their military activity around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key route for global shipping.
The conflict could widen further if the United States joins Saudi military operations. US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering whether to take part in strikes against the Houthis. Such involvement could increase regional tensions, particularly as the United States is already engaged in a wider confrontation with Iran.
The fighting is also raising concerns about civilian safety and the humanitarian situation in Yemen. The Houthi-run health ministry says Saudi-led coalition strikes have killed and injured civilians in recent weeks, while the United Nations has warned that Yemen is slipping back into full-scale war. Further escalation could disrupt shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and worsen the effects of the conflict on civilians and regional trade.