At least 20 people were killed and 356 injured in a series of attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on airports in Saudi Arabia between October 6 and October 11, the country's General Authority of Civil Aviation announced. The escalating violence has prompted Saudi aviation officials to tighten security and led to the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other facilities. Schools across the nation have also transitioned to online classes for the week.

The attacks underscore the intensifying regional conflict involving Iran and its proxies, particularly the Houthi militia in Yemen. Saudi officials have attributed a number of recent assaults to the Iranian-backed group. The Oct. 10 strike on King Khalid Airport was described as one of the deadliest in the kingdom in over a decade, with surveillance footage capturing the moment of impact and subsequent damage to the terminal.

President Donald Trump has indicated the United States may join Saudi Arabia in targeting the Houthis following the attacks. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a warning to U.S. airlines, advising them to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia due to "safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activities and GNSS interference."

Fighting in Yemen between the Iranian-backed Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces has also intensified in recent weeks. This regional instability has seen the Strait of Hormuz emerge as a primary flashpoint, with renewed strikes occurring despite a prior memorandum of understanding aimed at de-escalation. The U.S. and Iran previously engaged in major combat operations in late February, targeting military, government, and infrastructure sites.

International reactions to the attacks have been swift. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio noted that an American citizen was among those killed in the strike on a Saudi airport. The U.S. military has also taken action in the region, with forces disabling a cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on October 10.

The Saudi Ministry of Media released surveillance footage showing the moments before and during an attack at King Khalid International Airport on October 10. The footage captured ordinary travelers checking in for flights, juxtaposed with the destructive impact of the strike.

Saudi officials have stated they are implementing enhanced security measures across their airports. The closure of major air traffic hubs, including King Khalid International Airport, disrupted travel and daily life, with two alerts reportedly heard in the Saudi capital on Monday morning.

Further details on the extent of the damage and the specific targets of the Houthi attacks are still emerging. The ongoing conflict raises questions about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts and the potential for further escalation in the volatile region.