In an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and a Saudi Airlines aircraft on Thursday, three Saudi nationals, including the pilot, were killed. Saudi officials reported that two attacks targeting the airport and the plane injured numerous foreign nationals, with injuries ranging from mild to severe. Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, stating they launched ballistic missiles targeting the airport. Saudi authorities announced that services normalized from 6 p.m. onward.
The assault on the airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital and the Saudi Airlines plane resulted in the deaths of three Saudis, including the aircraft’s captain, with several other foreign nationals injured. This marks the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia since the recent large-scale military operations against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen were initiated by Saudi Arabia and its allies last week.
According to Saudi officials, the first attack on Thursday targeted airport infrastructure, while the second struck the Saudi Airlines aircraft. The identities of those involved have not been disclosed. However, Houthi rebels asserted they used ballistic missiles in the assault. The Saudi group’s statement confirmed that the casualties included Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami of Saudi Airlines.
This is the first confirmed attack on a Saudi national carrier aircraft since the onset of the recent military campaign. Another statement from the Saudi group noted that the aircraft was on the ground at the time and sustained damage. No passengers were aboard. Riyadh’s airport has been repeatedly targeted in recent days; earlier this week, a similar attack resulted in the death of a Sudanese national.
A statement released on Friday regarding flight operations confirmed the injuries of foreign nationals, describing their conditions as ranging from mild to critical. Hours after the attack, Saudi authorities reported that airport operations had returned to normal by 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels announced it had destroyed three rocket launch platforms used by the insurgents, which posed a threat to regional security.
