Saudi Arabia vows serious response after Houthi strikes kill 14 at Riyadh airport

Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Monday, 12 October, called for a "serious response" to a wave of Houthi drone and missile strikes that targeted Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and other infrastructure across the kingdom. The escalation, which killed 14 people at the capital’s airport over the weekend, has triggered widespread flight cancellations across the Gulf and prompted Iran to voice concern over the deteriorating security situation. Aviation and Trade Disruptions Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed on Monday, 12 October, that it is extending the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport to ensure safety following the fatal strikes. GACA reported that one Pakistani resident was killed and 11 others were wounded in the Sunday attack. The disruption spilled over to the UAE, where travellers faced cancellations and delays for flights linking Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Abha. The Australian embassy in Riyadh issued a "shelter in place" order on Monday, 12 October, advising citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition announced it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Khamis Mushait. The intensification of Houthi attacks on energy facilities and shipping routes near the Bab Al Mandeb Strait has raised fears of significant economic damage to oil shipments and international trade. Diplomatic and…