U.S. Embassy Condemns Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport, Restricts Staff Access to Jeddah , Dammam Airports
- 2026-10-11
- 21:22:38
RIYADH – The United States Mission in Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the recent Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and imposed new travel restrictions on U.S. government personnel, requiring special authorization for the use of airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam amid growing security concerns.
In a security alert issued on Sunday, the U.S. Mission said it was aware of the attacks targeting Riyadh’s airport on October 10 and urged American citizens to avoid King Khalid International Airport and its surrounding areas.
The embassy also advised travelers to exercise extreme caution when using major airports across the Kingdom due to the potential for further attacks and travel disruptions.
The alert stated that U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia now require special authorization to use King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as airports in the western city of Jeddah and the eastern city of Dammam. The measure expands earlier restrictions that had applied primarily to Riyadh.
The move comes a day after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh’s airport that Saudi authorities said killed 12 people and wounded more than 300 others, marking one of the most severe attacks on civilian infrastructure in the Kingdom in recent years. Saudi officials accused the Iran-backed Houthi group of targeting civilian facilities and pledged a firm response.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack, describing it as a blatant disregard for civilian life and expressing Washington’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
He also extended condolences to the victims and their families, noting that an American citizen was among those killed in the strike.
In addition to the airport restrictions, the U.S. Mission reiterated existing travel limitations for its personnel, including a ban on travel within 20 miles of the Saudi-Yemeni border and special authorization requirements for visits to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, and Najran, as well as the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif.
The embassy warned U.S. citizens to anticipate possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions, urging travelers to monitor airline advisories and local media for updates.