Houthis attack Riyadh Airport again: One killed and about dozen injured
Photo: Yemeni Houthis (Getty Images)
The Houthis launched a second strike on Riyadh International Airport, killing one person and injuring about a dozen others, according to Reuters.
In a statement released on October 11, the Houthis emphasized that Saudi airports and the country's airspace remained vulnerable to attacks. They made an exception for the airports in Mecca and Medina, two holy cities of Islam.
"We urge everyone to take our warnings seriously, and Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for any failed interceptions," representatives of the group state.
New strike on Riyadh Airport
On Sunday, October 11, Riyadh International Airport was attacked again. According to Saudi authorities, a fire broke out in the terminal after an unidentified projectile struck it; one person was killed and 11 others were injured.
The Saudi-led coalition also reported intercepting a cruise missile near King Khalid International Airport.
In addition, a drone was shot down in the east of the country, and air defense forces intercepted a ballistic missile launched toward the city of Khamis Mushait.
This occurred the day after a deadly attack on Riyadh Airport. According to Reuters, the strike on October 10 claimed the lives of 12 people and injured over 300.
Saudi authorities reported that the dead included both Saudi citizens and foreigners.
The airport temporarily suspended operations. The timeline for resuming flights depended on an assessment of the damage and security checks.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on oil infrastructure
Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthis' military wing, said the group also attacked King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and two facilities belonging to the Saudi oil company Saudi Aramco.
Saudi aviation authorities confirmed the strike on the airport in Dammam. They were assessing the damage and checking the safety of the infrastructure.
An eyewitness told Reuters that on the evening of October 11, a projectile struck the runway near parked aircraft, after which a fire broke out.
In light of the attacks, the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia advised its citizens to refrain from all but essential travel to Jeddah, Dammam, and other airports in the country, with the exception of the airport in Medina.
US aviation authorities also urged American airlines to exercise caution when flying to and over Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia intensifies operations in Yemen
The escalation comes amid an intensification of Saudi Arabia's military operations against the Houthis.
In recent weeks, the kingdom has intensified airstrikes against the group and supported a counteroffensive by Yemeni government forces following the Houthis' capture of strategic territories along the Red Sea coast.
According to the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia carried out 124 airstrikes on Yemen in the 24 hours leading up to October 11.
Trump had previously stated that Washington was considering joining the Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he had discussed with his Saudi counterpart the possibility of facilitating dialogue between Riyadh and Yemen.
Despite the escalation, the Saudi capital was set to host the WPC Energy international energy conference. At the same time, authorities announced that schools in Riyadh would switch to remote learning from October 11 to 15.
For more details on the Houthi attack on Riyadh Airport on October 10, read the RBC-Ukraine's report.
