Riyadh, Dammam airports targeted amid Houthi attacks; 1 killed in fresh strike
One person was killed and 11 others injured in a fresh attack on Riyadh’s international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities said, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen said an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, triggering a fire. An eyewitness aboard an aircraft taxiing at Dammam airport told Reuters that a projectile struck the tarmac near several parked aircraft at around 8.30pm local time, triggering a fire. The death toll from attacks on Saudi airports rose to 18 over the week. Saturday’s strike on Riyadh airport killed 13 people, including four Saudi nationals, while the remaining victims were foreign nationals, Saudi authorities said. Indian national Mohammed Yousuf, 46, was among those killed.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority confirmed a strike on Dammam airport late Sunday, saying damage assessments and safety inspections were under way.
He also said the group had targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, in the Eastern Province, and two facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco. Saudi air defences also intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, destroyed a drone in the Eastern Province and intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Khamis Mushait. The aircraft returned to the gate, and passengers were asked to disembark and leave the area. Britain’s embassy in Saudi Arabia advised its citizens to avoid all but essential travel to Jeddah, Dammam and all airports in the kingdom except Medina airport.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack in a televised address on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, the Houthis renewed their warning against the use of Saudi airports, saying Riyadh would be responsible for any failed interceptions.
US aviation authorities also issued a notice urging American airlines to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.