Three Saudi nationals, including an airline pilot, lost their lives in assaults directed at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, as confirmed by the kingdom’s civil aviation authority on Friday.
The initial strike on the airport facilities was followed by another targeting a Saudi aircraft, according to a statement from Saudi Arabia. While the responsible parties were not explicitly named, the Houthis asserted responsibility for launching a ballistic missile at the airport.
The kingdom reported injuries to “individuals of various nationalities” in the attacks.
Saudia Group announced the tragic loss of Capt. Hamoud Ali Alkalthami in the attacks, marking the first identified assault on the Saudi national carrier during the current offensive. Another statement from Saudia Group mentioned damage to one of their aircraft on the ground without passengers onboard.
The aviation authority noted that the injuries sustained by citizens and individuals from other countries ranged from minor to severe. A subsequent statement from Saudia Group indicated that operational activities at the airport had resumed to normalcy.
Numerous flights to and from Riyadh were canceled on Thursday, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website.
The Indian Embassy announced the suspension of Air India operations until Saturday, while the Lufthansa Group disclosed the suspension of its flights to Riyadh until October 16. Pakistan International Airlines also ceased flights to Riyadh due to the evolving circumstances in the Middle East, as stated by an airline spokesperson.
The U.S. Embassy cautioned its citizens earlier in the week about potential airspace closures.
Significant escalation
The assaults on Thursday marked the deadliest incidents in Saudi Arabia since the commencement of a major military campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels by the kingdom and its coalition partners.
These attacks signal a notable intensification in the ongoing conflict in the region, contributing to fluctuations in oil prices and financial markets.
