US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia attributed to Yemen's Houthi group, calling for an immediate halt to the hostilities after a strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reportedly killed 12 people and injured 309 others. Rubio confirmed that an American citizen was among those killed, expressing condolences to the victims and their families. The incident has intensified international concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure amid escalating regional tensions. According to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Saturday afternoon strike targeting King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital resulted in 12 fatalities and 309 injuries.

The attack formed part of a wider exchange of hostilities involving the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia, with major aviation facilities reportedly among the targets. The reported casualties have raised concerns about the risks faced by civilians when attacks affect airports and other essential infrastructure. Further details about the circumstances of the strike and the identities of those killed were not provided in the available information. In a statement posted on X, Rubio said the United States strongly condemned the attacks attributed to the Houthis, including the strike on the Riyadh airport. He described the incident as demonstrating disregard for civilian lives and called for an immediate end to the violence.

“They must stop now,” Rubio said, reiterating Washington's support for Saudi Arabia and its people. He also offered condolences to the families of those killed, including the American citizen whose death he confirmed. His statement underscored the US government's concern about the consequences of the attacks and the safety of civilians in the region. The incident also drew a strong response from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed shock over the reported loss of life. In a post on X, Guterres condemned the attack and highlighted the impact on civilians, noting reports that 12 people had been killed and hundreds injured.

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He said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violated international law and called for the violence to cease immediately. His statement reflected the UN's concern about the protection of civilian populations and the need to prevent further escalation. Airports are critical civilian facilities that support passenger travel, emergency services, trade and the movement of essential supplies. Attacks affecting such infrastructure can disrupt transport operations and expose travellers, airport workers and nearby communities to serious risks. Under international humanitarian law, parties to an armed conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants and protect civilian objects from attack, subject to the applicable legal rules and circumstances.

Guterres' statement emphasised the importance of these protections as regional hostilities continue. The latest strike has added to diplomatic concerns over the security situation involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement. Rubio's condemnation and Guterres' call for an immediate halt to attacks reflect international concern about further civilian casualties and damage to essential infrastructure. While the statements urged an end to the violence, the information available did not indicate whether diplomatic initiatives or additional security measures had been announced following the incident. The reported deaths and injuries have nevertheless renewed calls for the protection of civilians and the prevention of further attacks on critical facilities.

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