Three Saudi citizens lost their lives in the recent attacks on Riyadh Airport, and several others were injured. These attacks, for which the Houthis of Yemen have claimed responsibility, are considered one of the deadliest attacks in Saudi Arabia, especially following the commencement of a new military operation by the country and its allies in Yemen, giving it particular significance.
Details of the Attack and Consequences
The attacks on Riyadh Airport occurred on Thursday evening, targeting airport facilities as well as aircraft. Saudi officials reported that one of these attacks damaged airport facilities, while another targeted a plane that was on the ground. The Houthis also claimed to have attacked the airport with a ballistic missile. Among the victims of this incident is Captain Hamoud Ali Al-Kalthami. This incident is considered the first confirmed attack on Saudi Airlines since the start of the new military operations.
Read more: Suspension of Lufthansa and Indian airlines flights to Riyadh after Houthi attacks
Saudi Response and Current Situation
Reports indicate that the injuries sustained by citizens and nationals of other countries varied from mild to severe. However, the Saudi company announced that operational activities at the airport returned to normal at 6 PM on Thursday, a few hours after the attack. In this context, the Saudi-led coalition, which is fighting the Houthis, announced that it had destroyed three missile launch platforms belonging to this group that posed a threat to regional security.
The Houthis also stated that these attacks were carried out due to Saudi Arabia's support for government forces in the Yemeni civil war. Saudi Arabia, as the main supporter of the Yemeni government, is trying to reclaim lost territory from the Houthis. This group has made rapid advances along the Yemeni coasts in the past month and appears to be approaching the city of Taiz. Independent observers have also warned of the risk of Taiz falling into Houthi hands, and some signs indicate that government-aligned forces are retreating towards the port city of Aden.
Meanwhile, Riyadh will soon host a major conference on energy policies, namely the WPC Energy Congress. This session could have significant impacts on the global energy market, and currently, concerns about regional unrest and its impact on oil prices and financial markets have increased.
Read more: Britain announced that the consulate in Jerusalem will continue to operate as an independent mission · Increase in oil prices following supply threats in the US and Saudi Arabia
