Three people have been killed and 36 others injured after attacks targeted two airports in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has confirmed.
The attacks targeted Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Tuesday and Wednesday, with emergency and relevant authorities responding to both incidents.
GACA said that two residents, a Moroccan and an Algerian, died in the attack on Abha airport while 28 people suffered injuries. The injured included two Saudi citizens as well as Bangladeshi and Filipino residents, with their injuries ranging from minor to serious.
At King Khalid International Airport, a Sudanese national died while eight others were injured. The injured included five Saudi citizens, two Egyptians and one Pakistani national.
Authorities took all the injured people to hospitals for treatment. GACA added that both attacks also caused material damage.
The aviation authority said that it continues to work with security agencies to assess the damage and take measures to protect passengers and airport staff.
Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for attacks on both airports on Wednesday.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said that the group used drones to target King Khalid International Airport and carried out another operation against Abha airport using ballistic missiles and drones.
The attacks came as tensions continue between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, which has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government since Saudi Arabia launched the military campaign against the group in March 2015.
The Saudi-led coalition said that it destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform in Sanaa that it said was being prepared for an attack on Riyadh. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said on X that the platform was destroyed “during preparations for an imminent attack against the kingdom.”
The United States (US) Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on Wednesday, asking Americans to remain vigilant as hostilities and Houthi threats against Saudi airports and airspace continued.
“The Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including against civilian airports, and the military conflict has the potential to escalate,” it said.
The mission warned that the situation could lead to flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions. It advised travellers to check their flight status with airlines and airports.
It also told US citizens to avoid travelling near the Yemeni border and follow alerts issued by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense.
