Houthis attack Riyadh international airport killing Pakistani national

At least one person has been killed and 11 others injured following a rocket attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh. The Iran-backed group claimed responsibility for the assault, describing it as a response to ongoing Saudi military operations. The victim of the attack was identified as a Pakistani national, highlighting the direct impact of the regional conflict on foreign residents within the kingdom.

This strike marks a significant escalation in hostilities, representing the second major assault on Saudi infrastructure within a 48-hour window. According to reports from the Ghana News Agency, a previous attack resulted in the deaths of 12 people and left over 300 others injured. A Houthi military spokesperson stated that their operations are specifically targeting critical infrastructure and airports in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes. In the immediate wake of the airport attack, Saudi forces reportedly conducted multiple airstrikes on Houthi positions in northern Yemen’s Saada province, where the rebel group also claimed to have downed a Saudi drone.

The attack has drawn sharp condemnation from the R4 Group, an alliance comprising Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The group characterized the strike as a violation of national sovereignty and a direct threat to civilian safety and international aviation. Meanwhile, intense ground fighting continues within Yemen, particularly in the Taiz region, as local government forces engage Houthi fighters for control of the area.

The resurgence of these high-profile attacks underscores the fragility of previous truce agreements and the persistence of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. As Saudi Arabia intensifies its response in Saada, international observers expressed concern that the cycle of retaliation could further destabilize the Middle East. The ongoing conflict, involving multiple regional powers, continues to complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a lasting peace in the Arabian Peninsula.