Smoke and flames rise from King Khalid Airport, Houthi attack (Photo: Reuters).
Coalition spokesperson major general Turki Al-Maliki said the October 10 strike targeted a passenger terminal, resulting in civilian casualties, according to Saudi Gazette.
The warning has been issued to all shipping companies, airlines, experts, employees, workers, and travellers, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said on X. “They are exposed to targeting and a theater for operations by our forces”, Yahya said. Citing the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the fatalities included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals and one national each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan, according to Saudi Gazette. “The Armed Forces affirm that they are steadfast in establishing the announced equations: airport for airport, siege for siege, and escalation for escalation, until achieving their objectives,” Yahya said. He said the coalition’s Joint Forces Command would respond firmly in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has vowed a firm response to the attack, describing it as a war crime. Al-Maliki blamed Yemen’s Houthi militia for the attack, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law and customary rules of war.
When asked about the Saturday attack, US President Donald Trump said America could join Saudi Arabia’s military strikes against the Houthis, adding that his administration was reviewing the latest developments and could decide on the matter soon. Riyadh has intensified its military involvement in Yemen in recent weeks, carrying out strikes against the Houthis and supporting a counter-offensive by the Yemeni government after the group seized strategic territory along the Red Sea coast last month.