Riyadh airport toll climbs to 12
RIYADH: The Riyadh airport toll has risen to 12 dead and 309 wounded after the Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport, one of the deadliest strikes on Saudi soil in recent years.
The dead include four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, one US citizen, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian and one Sudanese national, Dawn reported on Sunday. The attack has drawn sharp condemnation from Pakistan and a vow of a “decisive” response from the Saudi-led coalition.
The updated figures mark a grim escalation from the earlier toll reported when the attack first struck.
Shehbaz condemns the attack
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Houthi attack, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security under the Makkah pact. His statement adds to a wave of international condemnation.
Pakistan has moved steadily closer to Riyadh on security matters in recent weeks. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said Pakistan will defend Saudi Arabia against any threat, and the government earlier rejected claims that Pakistani jets were being used against the Houthis.
The Foreign Office has also been active, with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar holding emergency talks with regional partners as the crisis deepened.
Coalition vows ‘decisive’ response
The Saudi-led coalition vowed a “decisive” response to the airport strike, signalling that retaliation against Houthi targets in Yemen is imminent. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi airports and energy facilities in recent days, including strikes that killed a Saudi pilot and forced PIA to suspend flights to the kingdom.
The coalition has already announced operations against Houthi targets, and Yemeni government forces say they have neutralised over 1,700 Houthi fighters in more than 1,100 operations.
Trump: US ‘may’ join strikes
In a significant development, US President Donald Trump said the United States “may” join Saudi strikes on the Houthis. The remark opens the door to direct American military involvement alongside the coalition.
Washington has been building up its regional posture for months, and the killing of a US citizen in the airport attack raises the stakes for the White House. Any US participation would mark a major expansion of the conflict.
What happens next
All eyes are now on the coalition’s promised response and whether Washington follows through on Trump’s hint. A wider campaign against Houthi positions in Yemen looks increasingly likely.
For Pakistan, the crisis tests its balancing act between its Saudi security commitments and its efforts to stay out of regional wars. With hundreds wounded and airlines rerouting, the fallout is already spreading across the region.
FAQ
How many people died in the Riyadh airport attack?
Twelve people were killed, including four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian, a Palestinian and a Sudanese national. Another 309 were wounded.
Who carried out the attack?
Yemen’s Houthis claimed the strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
What did Trump say?
US President Donald Trump said the United States “may” join Saudi strikes on the Houthis, opening the door to American military involvement.
How has Pakistan responded?
PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security under the Makkah pact.
What is the Saudi-led coalition planning?
The coalition vowed a “decisive” response, signalling imminent retaliation against Houthi targets in Yemen.
