Saudi Arabia Closes Airport in Riyadh After Damaging New Houthi Attack
Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport following a damaging strike by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The attack killed 13 people and injured 300, marking the deadliest strike on Saudi soil in over a decade. The blast caused damage to terminals at a 7.2 billion dollar expansion site and forced airlines to cancel flights. In response, Donald Trump stated the United States may join Saudi strikes. The Houthis have since issued new threats against Saudi airspace and targeted senior executive offices at the oil giant Aramco.
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- ✓ A Houthi strike at King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and injured 300.
- ✓ The attack damaged terminals at a 7.2 billion dollar expansion site.
- ✓ Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck the headquarters of Saudi oil company Aramco, damaging offices of senior executives.
- ✓ Donald Trump stated the US may join Saudi strikes.
What changed
Houthi rebels expanded their targets to include Aramco executive offices following the deadly airport strike.
Live updates
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Saudi Arabia closes Riyadh airport after deadly Houthi attack
Saudi Arabia has extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport following a damaging strike by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The attack killed 13 people and injured 300, marking the deadliest strike on Saudi soil in over a decade. The blast caused damage to terminals at a 7.2 billion dollar expansion site and forced airlines to cancel flights. In response, Donald Trump stated the United States may join Saudi strikes. The Houthis have since issued new threats against Saudi airspace and targeted senior executive offices at the oil giant Aramco.
Why it matters
The escalation follows a week of Houthi strikes and signals a failure of Saudi Arabia's Yemen containment strategy. Analysts suggest the attacks mirror Iranian warnings to disrupt regional air travel in response to US sanctions. The conflict centers on Houthi pressure regarding Saudi support for rival forces in Yemen.
What is confirmed
- A Houthi strike at King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and injured 300.
- The attack damaged terminals at a 7.2 billion dollar expansion site.
- Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck the headquarters of Saudi oil company Aramco, damaging offices of senior executives.
- Donald Trump stated the US may join Saudi strikes.
Still unconfirmed
- The attack on the airport was the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade.
- The strikes mark the end of Saudi Arabia's Yemen containment strategy.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of US military participation in Saudi strikes
- Official reopening date for King Khalid International Airport
- Further Houthi targeting of Saudi energy infrastructure
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (26)
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — Business News Live, Share Market News - Read Latest Finance News, IPO ...
- www.cnn.com — Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN
- www.irishtimes.com — The Irish Times | Latest news and headlines - Irish news, world news ...
- Al Jazeera — Iran war live: Kremlin says Trump welcomed Russia’s effort in Iran deal
- WSJ — Iran-Backed Houthis Hit Saudi Capital’s Airport in Damaging New Attack
- The Times of Israel — Dozens hurt as Houthis hit Riyadh airport; Trump: US may join Saudi strikes
- The New York Times — Riyadh Airport Attacked Again, Diplomats Say, After Week of Houthi Strikes
- Yahoo News Singapore — Loud blast at Riyadh airport as travellers evacuated and airlines cancel flights
- www.cnn.com — Multiple people wounded in attack on Riyadh airport, Saudi aviation authority says
- www.cbsnews.com — Houthis issue new threat against Saudi airspace after deadly ...
- nypost.com — Saudi Arabia extends airport closure after 13 killed in ...
- www.yahoo.com — Transcript: Trump’s Two Choices in Iran
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