The Houthi attacks on Riyadh International Airport on October 10 claimed 12 lives and injured over 300 people. These attacks are considered the largest and deadliest assault on Saudi Arabia in the past decade, and it appears that the Houthis are escalating their military campaign since last summer.
Details of the Attack and Casualties
According to reports, the victims of this attack included four Saudis and individuals from Bangladesh, the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. Saudi officials announced that 309 people were injured in this attack, many of whom were transferred to hospitals in critical condition. Rescue operations were carried out using ambulances and helicopters, and hundreds of injured were quickly transported to medical centers.
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Impacts and Consequences
These attacks occur in the context of two previous attacks on King Khalid International Airport, which resulted in the deaths of four people and severe damage to a Saudi commercial aircraft. These incidents highlight Saudi Arabia's defensive vulnerabilities against Houthi attacks, while Saudi Arabia continues to support the Yemeni government in its war against this group.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned these attacks, stating that they demonstrate a "blatant disregard for the lives of innocent civilians." António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, also condemned these attacks and emphasized the urgent need to stop attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government have claimed to have conducted hundreds of attacks on targets in Houthi-controlled areas. The Houthis have also claimed that these attacks have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. However, the media has been unable to independently verify these claims.
Military Efforts and Current Situation
Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab coalition in the war against the Houthis in Yemen. This war has turned into a bloody stalemate, with hundreds of thousands of Yemenis losing their lives due to the conflict and famine. The ceasefire in 2022, signed between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, collapsed this summer, leading to a rapid advance by the Houthis, who seized the strategic Bab al-Mandab region from Saudi government forces.
Currently, the Yemeni government has launched a military operation to reclaim this territory, although its progress is slow, and the Houthis continue to besiege the city of Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city.
As flights from Riyadh Airport have been completely halted and operations at this airport, which serves a population of 8 million, have ceased, a statement from the Houthi media office claimed that Riyadh International Airport has been completely shut down. The Houthis have also warned international airlines to avoid flying in Saudi airspace, declaring it a military operation zone.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh has advised American citizens to avoid this airport and its surrounding areas. These attacks occurred ahead of major energy and investment conferences scheduled in Riyadh.
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