US Secretary of State and UN Chief Call for an Immediate End to Attacks on Civilians as Saudi Arabia Reports Heavy Casualties at King Khalid International Airport
By Team INVC | INVC News
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA | October 11, 2026
The United States and the United Nations have condemned a deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressing condolences for the victims as Saudi authorities reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries.
The statements add to international concern over the reported Houthi attack and the escalating confrontation involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement.
In a post on X, Rubio said the United States strongly condemned recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including the strike on King Khalid International Airport. He said an American citizen was among those killed and described the victims as innocent people.
Rubio called for the attacks to stop immediately and reaffirmed Washington’s support for Saudi Arabia and its people. He also extended condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed.
UN Chief Condemns Attack on Civilian Infrastructure
Guterres also expressed shock over the reported attack, condemning the loss of life and the injuries sustained by civilians.
In his statement on X, the UN chief said reports indicated that 12 people had been killed and hundreds injured. He stressed that attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international law and called for an immediate end to such attacks.
His remarks underscore the United Nations’ concern over the humanitarian consequences of the widening confrontation and the risks posed by attacks on critical civilian facilities.
Saudi Authorities Report 12 Deaths, 309 Injuries
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said early Sunday that Saturday afternoon’s attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had killed 12 people and injured 309.
According to the authority, the dead included four Saudi citizens and eight foreign residents. The foreign victims comprised two Bangladeshi nationals and one citizen each of the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
The injured were receiving treatment at hospitals, with some reported to be in serious condition.
The aviation authority had earlier announced a temporary suspension of airport operations while officials assessed the damage and completed security inspections.
Rising International Concern
The condemnations from Washington and the United Nations come amid a wider escalation in hostilities involving Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces in Yemen.
The reported strike has intensified concerns about the safety of civilians and the vulnerability of airports and other critical infrastructure during the conflict.
The immediate priorities include medical treatment for those injured, security assessments at the airport and efforts to prevent further attacks on civilian facilities.
With the United States and the United Nations publicly condemning the incident, the international response is likely to remain focused on civilian protection, compliance with international law and the risk of further escalation.
INVC News will continue to follow developments surrounding the Riyadh airport attack, the international response and the wider Saudi Arabia-Yemen conflict.
