A serious security incident is reported to have struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, where according to international reports a missile landed in the airport area, causing an explosion, evacuation and a temporary suspension of air traffic.
Initial claims about the attack
Agence France-Presse, citing a diplomatic source, reported that the missile was launched by Yemen’s Houthi forces and struck the airport at around 15:00.
The target, according to the same source, was a civilian structure within the airport complex. At this stage, these remain reports that have not been independently confirmed by the Saudi authorities.
Explosion, evacuation and flight disruption
After the reported strike, a powerful explosion was heard at the airport, while passengers and staff were evacuated from the area. Reuters, citing eyewitnesses, reported that the sound of the explosion was clearly heard at the airport.
Air traffic was suspended immediately afterward, causing disruptions at one of the most important transport hubs in Saudi Arabia.
No confirmed casualty toll
At the time of reporting, there was no confirmed information about deaths or injuries. Published reports said ambulances arrived at the scene shortly after the explosion.
The absence of an official toll still leaves the real scale of the damage and the consequences of the incident unclear.
Airlines begin cancellations
After the incident, several airlines, including Kuwait Airways, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, were reported to have canceled a number of flights to and from Riyadh.
According to the published information, some of these cancellations may last until Monday, indicating that the effect of the incident has not been limited to the moment of the explosion alone.
Airport notice to passengers
King Khalid International Airport urged passengers to contact airlines directly and check flight status before heading to the airport.
This response indicates that the operational situation remains uncertain, while travelers are facing immediate uncertainty over their itineraries.
So far, the available information is based mainly on reporting by international agencies and witnesses on the ground, while the full picture of the incident remains unclear.
The scale of the attack, the actual damage and official responsibility for the incident remain pending further verification.