RIYADH: An attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday reportedly injured several people, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend airport operations while assessing the damage and reviewing safety conditions.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the incident, stating that the exact number of injured people was still being determined. The authority condemned the attack, describing it as part of a wider pattern of assaults targeting the Kingdom’s civil aviation infrastructure.
Passengers were advised to contact their airlines before travelling to the airport to confirm flight schedules and operational updates. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry urged travellers stranded abroad because of the disruption to contact Saudi diplomatic missions for assistance.
Attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport Raises Fresh Security Concerns
The latest incident comes amid a series of reported attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s airports and other civilian facilities, including aviation infrastructure in Riyadh and Abha.
Previous strikes attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement reportedly caused fatalities and injuries among civilians and aviation personnel. One of the earlier incidents involved an attack on a Saudia aircraft on the ground, which reportedly killed its pilot, Captain Hamoud Ali AlKalthami. Other reported strikes resulted in civilian deaths and damage to airport facilities.
The repeated incidents have heightened concerns about the security of civilian aviation and the potential consequences for passengers, airline employees, and regional air transport.
International Community Condemns Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure
The reported attacks have prompted condemnation from regional and international officials, with calls for measures to protect civilian infrastructure and prevent further escalation.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called for stronger international action to deter attacks attributed to the Houthis. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and urged the group to halt its actions.
Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdulaziz Alwasil, reiterated Riyadh’s position that Yemeni territory must not be used as a launching point for attacks against the Kingdom or threats to maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government has also announced military operations against Houthi targets in response to the escalating attacks.
Authorities have yet to establish the full extent of the damage and casualties from Saturday’s incident. Further updates are expected as investigations continue and airport officials assess when normal operations can safely resume.
