Saudi Airport Strikes Trigger Global Travel Warnings and Market Concerns

Saudi Arabia faced additional drone and missile attacks Monday after strikes on Riyadh airport killed at least 13 people over the weekend, prompting travel warnings from governments including the United States and raising concern about broader market volatility.

The Saudi aviation authority extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport. Saturday’s attack killed 12 people and injured more than 300, while a separate strike Sunday killed one person and injured nearly a dozen.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants have claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Saudi-led coalition said it was dealing with more projectiles heading toward the Kingdom.

Australia and New Zealand joined the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and other governments in advising against travel to Saudi Arabia. The warnings came as the Kingdom hosted major energy and investment gatherings, including the World Petroleum Congress and the Future Investment Initiative.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States may join Saudi Arabia in retaliatory action. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he told Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud that Tehran was willing to support dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Iran was also reviewing a U.S. response related to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.