Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority reported that an airline pilot and two other Saudi citizens were killed in assaults directed at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The initial attack targeted airport facilities, followed by a strike on a Saudi aircraft, according to Saudi statements. While the responsible parties were not identified, the Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the airport with a ballistic missile. The attacks resulted in injuries to individuals of various nationalities. Among the casualties was Capt. Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, as confirmed by the Saudia Group. This incident marked the first verified attack on the Saudi national carrier since the onset of the recent offensive.
An aircraft belonging to the Saudia Group sustained damage while grounded without passengers, as per a separate statement from the airline. The injuries sustained by citizens and individuals of other nationalities ranged from minor to severe. Following the attacks, a significant number of flights to and from Riyadh were canceled, with 124 flights canceled by Friday afternoon local time, after several had been called off the previous day, as per data from FlightAware.
In response to the escalating situation, Air India suspended operations until Saturday, while the Lufthansa Group announced the suspension of flights to Riyadh until October 16. Pakistan International Airlines also ceased flights to Riyadh due to the evolving circumstances in the Middle East. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency updated its guidance concerning Saudi airspace, highlighting the increased risk posed by Houthi missile and drone attacks on critical aviation infrastructure.
The assaults on Thursday marked the deadliest incidents in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom and allied forces in neighboring Yemen initiated a major military operation against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. These events signify a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, impacting global oil prices and financial markets. The United Nations Special Envoy was scheduled to brief the Security Council on the developments in Yemen later that Friday.
Saudi allies, such as Kuwait and Pakistan, condemned the attack on Riyadh airport. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized Saudi Arabia’s legitimate right to defend its populace and safeguard critical infrastructure. The Saudi-led coalition reported destroying three rocket launch platforms used by the rebels to threaten regional security.
The offensive aims to reclaim territory captured by the Houthis along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The presence of the rebels in this region poses a threat to an essential alternate shipping route to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian actions have disrupted maritime traffic. Yemenis protested the Saudi attacks in various Houthi-held cities, denouncing Saudi Arabia and its allies.
The prolonged conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Yemen has caused immense suffering, leading to widespread hunger and hardship in Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest nation. The war, which began in 2014 when Houthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa, has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis. Despite a ceasefire in 2022, the situation deteriorated this summer, reigniting hostilities in the region.
