Washington/dubai, Oct 11, 2026 13:24 ISTLeaders and senior officials from across the world have condemned the attack on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed 12 people and injured more than 300. The strike on Saturday, which Saudi Arabia blamed on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, was the latest in a series of attacks targeting the kingdom's infrastructure.
The incident drew immediate reactions from the United Nations, the United States, Canada, India, and several regional governments, with officials stressing that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are entirely unacceptable. The violence has heightened anxieties regarding broader regional destabilization amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its adversaries.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep shock and strong condemnation over the assault, noting that strikes against civilians violate international law and must stop immediately. US President Donald Trump stated that Washington was evaluating whether to join Saudi military responses against the Houthis, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the American government stood with Saudi Arabia and mourned the death of a US citizen in the attack.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney denounced the actions as reckless and abhorrent, and UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg characterized the airport strike as a grave escalation that threatens regional security and peaceful diplomatic efforts. Qatar, Pakistan, Palestine, Egypt, and India also issued formal statements denouncing the violence, expressing solidarity with Riyadh, and reiterating that attacks on civilian aviation facilities are a flagrant violation of international law.
Saudi authorities confirmed that the casualties included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and individuals from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Sudan. The Saudi-led coalition labeled the incident a war crime and promised a robust response, while civil aviation authorities temporarily suspended operations and diverted flights following the blast.