Houthi attacks: Eight flights on Dhaka-Riyadh route disrupted, 2,951 passengers affected

Eight flights on the Dhaka-Riyadh route have been disrupted after King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia closed following attacks allegedly by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saturday, affecting 2,951 passengers, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab).

Of the affected flights, three were operated by Saudia Airlines, two each by Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Riyadh Air, and one by US-Bangla Airlines, according to the Flight Management System, civil aviation officials said today (11 October).

At least 12 people, including two Bangladeshis and four Saudi nationals, were killed and over 300 were injured in the attacks allegedly carried out by the Houthis on the Saudi airport on Saturday afternoon.

The airport authorities extended the suspension of operations until 9pm UTC today, equivalent to 3am Bangladesh time today.

With no visible progress towards reopening the airport, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended its scheduled flights BG339 and BG340 on the Dhaka-Riyadh and Riyadh-Dhaka routes for 11 and 12 October.

The airline said it would inform passengers about the revised flight schedule at noon on Monday, Bangladesh time.

Biman also apologised for the temporary inconvenience caused by the suspensions and sought passengers' cooperation.

The disruption has affected both Bangladeshi and foreign airlines operating services to and from Riyadh.

Authorities are monitoring the situation, while passengers await updates on the resumption of flights and alternative travel arrangements.

Two Bangladeshis killed, 4 in ICU

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today confirmed that two Bangladeshis were killed and four others were receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICUs) following the attack.

The deceased are Md Shahed Ahmed, son of Md Rafiqul Islam, who hailed from Madla village in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura, and Md Nasrullah Badrupuri, son of Mawlana Mohammad Ullah, a resident of Badrupur village in Nangalkot upazila of Cumilla.

Bangladesh has already lost 14 nationals in ongoing Middle East conflicts, the state minister said, expressing concern over further casualties among Bangladeshi migrant workers. 

The government will bear the costs of bringing the bodies of the deceased Bangladeshis back home, she said at the ministry today.

World condemnation

Various nations, including the United States, have condemned the incidents. 

US President Donald Trump indicated that he was considering whether his country should join the war against the Houthis.

Arab and Islamic countries and organisations condemned the attacks on the airport, warning that attacks threaten regional security and civil aviation safety and calling for international action to halt them and hold those responsible accountable. 

Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon, among others, strongly condemned the attacks.

Besides, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Muslim World League also condemned the incident.

In a statement today, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister said, "Attacks endangering civilian lives and targeting civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must cease immediately."

Bangladesh reiterated its firm solidarity with the government and the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of this attack.

The Saudi-led coalition blamed Houthis for the attack, calling the strike a "fully-fledged war crime" and vowing a firm response, reports AP.

The fatalities also included one each from Palestine, the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan.

Today, Iran-backed Houthis urged airlines, travellers and airport workers to avoid Saudi airports.

In a post on X, the Houthis warned that Saudi airports and airspace remained vulnerable to attacks, exempting airports in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. They also said Saudi Arabia would bear responsibility for any failed interceptions.

The warning came amid escalating fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. 

Saudi Arabia has increased its military involvement in Yemen, launching strikes and backing a government counteroffensive after the Houthis seized strategic territory along the Red Sea coast last month.