Three Saudis killed in attacks on Riyadh airport, authorities say

On Friday, October 9, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation reported two attacks on King Khalid International Airport, one targeting airport facilities and the other an aircraft operated by Saudia.

The attacks took place on Thursday, the aviation authority said. Three Saudi nationals were killed and several others were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to severe. The strikes caused material damage, but airport operations resumed and air traffic returned to normal.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the airport attack, saying they had launched two cruise missiles. The group also said it had targeted an airport in Najran and an airbase in Khamis Mushait. Saudi authorities have not confirmed those claims. Riyadh supports Yemen’s UN-recognised government, which is fighting the Houthis.

The new casualties followed a series of attacks on airports in Riyadh and Abha. Authorities said on Wednesday that three people had been killed in earlier strikes. The Associated Press reported that a Saudia captain was among those killed in the latest incident. Official statements did not attribute the attack to a specific party.