Projectile Hits Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia, detikNews Reports
A projectile struck the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, October 10, 2026, triggering a fire and forcing aviation authorities to suspend flight operations, according to detikNews.
Projectile Strike and Airport Closures in Riyadh
The strike on Saturday, October 10, 2026, occurred just a day after a prior attack claimed by the Houthi movement killed at least a dozen people and halted airport operations, detikNews reported. The Saturday, October 10, 2026, incident marked the deadliest attack on Saudi territory in more than a decade, escalating the ongoing war in Yemen where Riyadh leads a coalition backing the internationally recognized government.
Following the Saturday impact at King Khalid International Airport, the Saudi-led coalition reported that a projectile hit the facility, according to detikNews. Flightradar24 data indicated that the airport’s closure extended through 21:00 local time, while a senior aviation source confirmed that radar and communication equipment sustained damage, requiring thorough runway inspections.
In addition to the Riyadh facility, the Houthi group claimed responsibility for targeting the airport in Dammam, where official airport websites showed widespread departure and arrival delays on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The weekend escalation drew international condemnation from the United Nations and world leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, who stated he was considering participating in Saudi retaliatory actions against the Houthi movement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu similarly condemned the strikes.
Indonesia Monitors Citizens in Saudi Arabia
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) intensified its monitoring and protection efforts for Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Saudi Arabia following the security escalation, Epaper Media Indonesia reported. The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Riyadh stated it had not received any reports of Indonesian citizens killed or injured in the incidents, though verification regarding potential injuries is ongoing.
Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Henny Hamidah, advised all Indonesian nationals in Saudi Arabia to increase their vigilance, avoid high-risk zones near King Khalid International Airport, limit non-essential travel, and comply with local authorities, according to Tribratanews Polda Jabar. Kemlu recorded approximately 581,000 Indonesian citizens residing or visiting Saudi Arabia, consisting of 351,070 residents holding iqamah permits and 229,930 visitors or pilgrims. Citizens requiring consular assistance were directed to contact the KBRI Riyadh hotline at +966 569173990 or the KJRI Jeddah hotline at +966 503609667.
Simultaneous Ground Offensives Across Yemen Frontlines
ANTARA News reported that government forces launched a large-scale offensive on Monday, October 5, 2026, to recapture territory from Houthi control, concentrating heavy fighting around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait in southwestern Yemen. While Saudi-led coalition airstrikes intensified in support of government troops, the Houthi movement escalated missile and drone strikes against infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia.
Regional Tensions Threaten Access to Holy Sites
Ishom el Saha, Rector of UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten, wrote in an opinion piece published by Kementerian Agama following a nine-day visit to the Holy Land that regional tensions create deep anxieties for millions of Muslims relying on safe access to Islam’s holy sites. The commentary emphasized that the conflict extends beyond a bilateral dispute between the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia, threatening pilgrimage routes, aviation safety, and civil stability across the Arabian Peninsula.
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