Riyadh:A missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including two Bangladeshis, and left more than 300 injured. Saudi civil aviation authorities confirmed that several victims are in critical condition.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Saudi-led coalition accused Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen of carrying out the attack, describing it as a 'fully-fledged war crime' and promising a firm response. The airport, which does not contain any military facilities, was forced to suspend operations with several flights being diverted.
The fatalities included four Saudi citizens, a Palestinian, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian, and a Sudanese national. The injured are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
US President Donald Trump stated that Washington is considering joining Saudi strikes against the rebels, and he intends to discuss the incident with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the death of an American citizen and condemned the attack for its disregard for civilian lives.
In response to the attack, several countries, including the US, Britain, Germany, Australia, and Canada, have advised their citizens to avoid the airport. The incident has raised concerns about regional security and potential disruptions to aviation and shipping due to the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.