New missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, resulted in injuries to several individuals and a temporary halt to flight operations. This attack occurred on Saturday as part of the escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi territory.
Suspension of flight operations
The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA) confirmed this attack and stated that it is assessing the number and condition of the injured. Due to this attack, flight operations at King Khalid Airport have been temporarily suspended, and officials are conducting damage assessments and safety inspections. Further updates on this matter will be announced in the near future.
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Increased security situation and effects on flights
According to reports, a missile targeted an area serving terminals 3 and 4, which handle domestic flights, resulting in injuries to several individuals and the evacuation of the area. Ambulances were quickly dispatched to the scene, and witnesses reported hearing an explosion. Flights heading to Riyadh were also diverted to other airports.
Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada, advised their citizens to refrain from traveling to this airport. While no claims of responsibility have yet been issued by the Houthi movement in Yemen, Saudi officials have also not disclosed the identity of the attackers.
This incident on Saturday followed previous Houthi attacks that resulted in the deaths of three Saudi citizens, including a Saudi pilot, and injuries to several others. Previous attacks targeted airport facilities and caused damage to a Saudi aircraft while it was on the ground.
King Khalid International Airport has been targeted multiple times since the start of the major military operations of the Saudi-led coalition against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. This escalation of tensions has led to widespread disruptions in flights, and reports indicate that at least 225 flights at Riyadh Airport were canceled within a 24-hour period.
Airlines such as India Air, Fly Dubai, Lufthansa Group, and Pakistan International Airlines have also suspended their flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for several days due to this situation. Additionally, Qatar Airways has extended the cancellation of specific flights from Doha to Riyadh until Sunday, October 11, for operational reasons.
Meanwhile, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has expanded its guidance regarding Saudi airspace and warned of the risks posed by missile and drone attacks. The Houthis have also warned international airlines against operating in Saudi airspace, describing it as a military operational field.
Read more: Travel warning for Riyadh airport following claims of Houthi attacks · Saudi Arabia: Attacks on Abha and King Khalid International Airports
