Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have faced an unexpected challenge while visiting the holiest sites in Islam. Following a Houthi missile attack on an airport in Riyadh, 13 people have died and over 300 others have been injured. Among these, images of a large explosion show pilgrims in their simple white attire, ready for their journey to Mecca.
Impact of the Attack on Pilgrims
Reports indicate that a Bangladeshi imam who was leading a group of pilgrims lost his life in this attack, and other pilgrims were also injured. The Houthis have stated that they will not attack sacred places like Mecca and Medina, but will target other Saudi airports, justifying these attacks as retaliation for Saudi attacks against them.
Fadi Anwar, a Jordanian citizen residing in Mecca who was sitting in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque, expressed concern, stating: "We continuously receive warnings from officials, which causes us anxiety." Saudi officials have also emphasized that the safety of pilgrims and visitors is a priority for them.
Travel Disruptions and Widespread Consequences
The attacks between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis, stemming from the resumption of the civil war in Yemen as a consequence of U.S.-Iran tensions, have led to many flights in Saudi Arabia being grounded. Schools in Riyadh have shifted to online education, and some offices have instructed their employees to work from home.
These disruptions have created significant problems, especially for those traveling, including pilgrims, traders, and tourists. Mohammed, one of the pilgrims, said: "We have postponed some trips. Our friends who intended to travel have canceled their trips due to the attacks. Ultimately, they returned to Sudan by boat from Jeddah instead of flying." Many individuals who planned to travel from Riyadh are considering new options and moving towards Bahrain, Qatar, and Dubai.
A diplomat in Riyadh announced that several embassies have used Doha for travel to and from Saudi Arabia. Additionally, a representative of a transportation company stated that travel costs to these destinations have doubled.
