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One person was killed and 11 others injured in a new attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 11, Saudi authorities said, a day after a Houthi strike killed 13 people and injured more than 300.
According to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4, sparking a fire. Saudi air defenses also intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, a drone in the Eastern Province and a ballistic missile launched toward Khamis Mushait, Reuters reported.
The Houthis renewed their warning against using Saudi airports and said the country’s airspace remained vulnerable to attacks. They exempted airports in Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam.
“We urge everyone to take our warnings seriously, and Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for any failed interceptions,” the group said.
Houthis claim attacks on airports and oil facilities
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the October 10 attack on Riyadh airport and said the group had also targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and two facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco.
Saudi aviation authorities confirmed the strike on Dammam airport and said inspections and damage assessments were underway. An eyewitness told Reuters that a projectile struck the tarmac near parked aircraft on Sunday evening, causing a fire. Passengers were evacuated after their aircraft returned to the gate.
The latest attacks prompted security warnings from foreign governments. Britain’s embassy advised citizens against all but essential travel to Jeddah, Dammam and other Saudi airports, except Medina. U.S. aviation authorities also urged airlines to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia intensifies military operations in Yemen
The escalation comes as Saudi Arabia steps up its military campaign against the Houthis and supports a counteroffensive by Yemen’s internationally recognized government following the group’s recent territorial gains along the Red Sea coast.
The Houthi-run foreign ministry claimed that Saudi Arabia had carried out 124 airstrikes in Yemen in the 24 hours before October 11. The group warned that further attacks would follow unless Riyadh halted its military campaign.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he had discussed the possibility of facilitating dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen with his Saudi counterpart.
Despite the heightened security threat, the five-day WPC Energy conference was scheduled to proceed in Riyadh. Saudi authorities also announced that schools in the capital would switch to remote learning from October 11 through October 15.
