A cruise missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia struck Terminal 3 of Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday afternoon, killing at least 13 people and wounding more than 300. Among the victims were Mohammad Nasrullah, a 37-year-old Islamic studies teacher from Bangladesh leading pilgrims to Mecca; Buthaina Owaida, a 56-year-old Syrian mother of four living in Saudi Arabia; and Mahmoud Barqawi, a 33-year-old Jordanian restaurant worker saving to build a home. The attack, described as the deadliest in a Gulf Arab country since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran began in February, set the terminal ablaze and caused structural collapse.
Saudi authorities confirmed the Houthis, an Iranian-backed militia engaged in a decade-long conflict with Saudi Arabia, carried out the strike. Witnesses, including engineer Majed Alessa, described scenes of chaos, smoke, and blood, with survivors recounting attempts to aid the wounded. Hospitals mobilized rapidly, performing 22 surgeries in under 24 hours.
The assault marked the Houthis’ most lethal attack to date in their campaign against Saudi Arabia, escalating tensions as cross-border strikes intensified days later.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing