Houthi strikes kill 13 at Riyadh airport, trigger global travel alerts

Several Western and Asian governments have issued fresh travel warnings to Saudi Arabia after Iran-backed Houthi militants carried out repeated missile and drone attacks on the kingdom's airports. The advisories from the United States, Australia, Canada, Britain, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand follow a deadly strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport that killed 13 people, including one American, and wounded more than 300 others.

Surveillance footage released by Saudi authorities shows the moment a projectile struck the terminal on Saturday. Travelers waiting in line scattered as smoke filled the building and debris fell from the ceiling. Airport staff ducked under desks while passengers rushed past security checkpoints. The attack marked the deadliest incident at a Gulf Arab airport since the current round of regional fighting intensified. A follow-up strike on Sunday killed one more person and injured nearly a dozen others. Saudi officials reported that King Khalid airport has now been hit four times in five days and remains closed.

Australia's foreign ministry specifically warned against using the Riyadh facility and urged reconsideration of travel to other Saudi airports. New Zealand advised against any travel to Riyadh or the provinces of Najran, Jazan and Asir, while recommending that citizens avoid non-essential trips across the kingdom. Canada issued a broad advisory against non-essential travel to the entire country. South Korea told its nationals already in Saudi Arabia to depart unless their business is essential and urged those planning trips to cancel them. The United States embassy in Riyadh recommended that Americans reconsider travel to the kingdom because of threats from Iran and its Houthi proxies.

The Houthis, based in Yemen, have claimed responsibility for the recent barrage. The group receives weapons, training and funding from Iran, according to multiple Western intelligence assessments. Saudi Arabia has faced questions about the effectiveness of its air defenses despite years of heavy military spending. The kingdom is currently hosting several high-profile energy and investment conferences, adding pressure on authorities to restore security at major transport hubs.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that American forces might participate in any Saudi response to the attacks. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, called on Saudi Arabia to pursue diplomacy instead. The pattern of strikes, however, has prompted governments to prioritize the safety of their citizens over continued business or tourism ties with the kingdom. Several countries have extended their advisories indefinitely while Saudi aviation authorities work to assess damage and improve protection around civilian facilities.