Houthi Missile Attack on Riyadh Airport Kills 12, Injures 309; Flights Disrupted

Riyadh, Oct 11 (UNI): Twelve people were killed and 309 injured in a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said on Sunday, as Houthi attacks on the kingdom's civilian aviation infrastructure intensified.

The latest strikes have severely disrupted air travel across Saudi Arabia, with around 580 flights cancelled on Sunday, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.

The deceased included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshis and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan, GACA said in a statement. Some of the injured were in critical condition.

The attack also caused property damage, which authorities were assessing. Airport operations were temporarily suspended to allow officials to inspect the damage and verify the safety of the facilities.

"This attack comes amidst ongoing blatant assaults targeting civil aviation facilities in the Kingdom," GACA said.

The strike was the third attack on the international aviation hub this week and the deadliest against the major US ally in more than a decade.

Hours after the attack on Riyadh airport, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, one of Saudi Arabia's main aviation hubs in the east, also came under attack, according to Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognised government. He announced the development in a post on X.

It was the first reported attack on King Fahd International Airport since the Iran war began on February 28.

Flight Disruptions Across the Region

Kuwait Airways cancelled its Saturday services to Riyadh and return flights, citing the airport's closure. Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines had also suspended flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for varying periods before the latest attack.

King Khalid International Airport advised passengers to contact their respective airlines before travelling to the airport.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, citing the Houthis' capability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh, and what it described as an increased focus on aviation infrastructure.

Missile and drone attacks, along with interception efforts, "create an increased risk of misidentification of civil aircraft," the agency warned.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said people stranded abroad because of the disruption should contact Saudi diplomatic missions in their respective countries to seek assistance.

Coalition Intensifies Operations Against Houthis

The latest attack follows a series of deadly strikes on Saudi airports in recent days attributed to Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

The coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognised government said on Friday that it had launched "large-scale operations" against the Houthis, destroying more than 130 targets.

According to the coalition, the Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, targeting Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushayt, Jazan and Najran.

Last month, the group attempted an attack on Makkah and struck an electricity distribution station supplying the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, the coalition said.

International Condemnation

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called for serious international action to deter the Houthis.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said attacks on civilian infrastructure were unacceptable and urged the Houthis to stop their "reckless and violent acts".

Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdulaziz Alwasil, told the UN Security Council on Friday that Riyadh would not allow Yemen to become a launchpad for attacks against the kingdom or threats to shipping in the Red Sea.