Riyadh Airport Hit Again as Houthi Attacks Escalate Across Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that airport operations had been suspended while authorities assessed the damage.
A fresh attack on King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital on Saturday injured several people and forced authorities to temporarily suspend airport operations, marking another escalation in a series of deadly Houthi strikes targeting the Kingdom’s civilian aviation infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that airport operations had been suspended while authorities assessed the damage.
“This attack comes amidst ongoing blatant assaults targeting civil aviation facilities in the Kingdom,” GACA said.
The authority confirmed that several people were injured, although the exact number was still being determined.
Passengers were advised to contact their airlines before travelling to the airport. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged travellers stranded abroad due to the disruption to contact Saudi diplomatic missions for assistance.
Riyadh Airport Targeted Repeatedly This Week
Saturday’s attack followed a series of deadly strikes on Saudi airports attributed to the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen.
On Thursday, two separate attacks on King Khalid International Airport killed three Saudi nationals, including Saudia pilot Capt. Hamoud Ali Alkalthami.
According to GACA, the first strike targeted airport facilities and killed two Saudi citizens. A subsequent attack struck a Saudia aircraft on the ground, killing Capt. Alkalthami.
Saudia CEO Ibrahim Al-Omar paid tribute to the pilot, praising his dedication and service to the national carrier.
Earlier, a Wednesday attack on Riyadh airport killed a Sudanese national.
On Tuesday, two women, one Moroccan and one Algerian, were killed in a Houthi attack on Abha International Airport in Aseer province.
Dozens of people, including foreign nationals, have been injured in the recent attacks.
Saudi-Led Coalition Launches Large-Scale Operations
The latest strike comes as the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen intensifies military operations against Houthi positions.
On Friday, the coalition announced large-scale operations against the militia, reporting that more than 130 targets had been destroyed.
Houthi missile and drone attacks have intensified across Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, targeting Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushayt, Jazan and Najran.
According to the coalition, the militia also attempted to target Makkah in September and struck an electricity distribution station supplying the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
The repeated attacks on airports and other civilian infrastructure have raised concerns about aviation safety and regional security.
Saudi Arabia Warns UN Over Houthi Escalation
Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Friday, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil, warned that the Kingdom would not allow Yemen to become a launchpad for attacks against Saudi territory.
He also stressed that Riyadh would not tolerate threats to international shipping in the Red Sea and the strategic Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
The attacks have drawn international condemnation.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called for serious international action to deter further Houthi attacks.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned strikes on civilian infrastructure, describing them as unacceptable and urging the Houthis to end their attacks.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s continued support for a political settlement in Yemen, the escalating attacks have prompted renewed military operations and warnings of further defensive measures.
The latest attack on Riyadh airport underscores the growing threat to civilian aviation as the conflict increasingly affects major transport facilities and international passengers.
