Three killed, including pilot, in missile attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid airport
Three Saudi nationals died and several people were hurt in two attacks on the airport and a Saudia aircraft; Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility.
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A missile attack has been carried out on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, raising tension further in the Gulf region. On Thursday, October 8, the airport's facilities and an aircraft of the Saudi national airline were targeted.
Three Saudi nationals were killed and several people were injured in the attacks. Those who died include a pilot of Saudia airline. Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attacks. The attacks affected the airport's operations and international air traffic.
According to information provided by Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority, two separate attacks were carried out at the airport. The first targeted the airport's facilities, while the second damaged a Saudia aircraft. Three Saudi nationals were killed and several people of different nationalities were wounded.
The airline said its pilot, Hamoud Ali al-Qathami, was among the dead. Security was tightened at the airport premises after the attacks. The targeting of the civil aviation system has raised concern over passenger safety.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen have claimed that they carried out missile attacks on Riyadh airport. Saudi Arabia is providing military support to Yemen's internationally recognised government and backs action against the Houthi rebels. The attacks on key Saudi sites come against the backdrop of this conflict.
The Houthi rebels have also claimed to have targeted other Saudi airports and military sites. However, each attack has not been separately confirmed officially. The Saudi-led coalition is reported to have responded by striking Houthi rocket launching centres in Yemen. Fears have been expressed that the conflict could escalate.
Following the attack, several flights to and from Riyadh airport were delayed, while some were cancelled. Passengers were asked to contact their airlines before travelling. Operations at the airport were affected for some time for security reasons, but the airport was later reopened and air traffic was reported to have returned to normal.
Saudi Arabia is an important country in the global oil market, so the security situation there could also affect international trade and energy supplies. Concern over the movement of merchant ships has grown, particularly because of the conflict in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait region. The international community is keeping a close watch on the conflict in the Gulf countries.
