A Houthi militia launched a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killing three people including a Saudia pilot. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to Saudi authorities. The General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the casualties, with one Sudanese national among the dead.
Footage from the airport showed a Saudia Airlines aircraft engulfed in flames as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Witnesses reported that outgoing flights were halted and passengers were told to leave their luggage behind and evacuate. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, marking another escalation in tensions with Saudi Arabia.
The attack followed a series of Houthi strikes targeting Saudi infrastructure. The ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jordan condemned the attack, calling it a violation of Saudi sovereignty and international law. The Houthi group, backed by Iran, has been accused of launching multiple attacks on Saudi airports and military sites.
This incident adds to a pattern of Houthi aggression against Saudi Arabia, with the group previously targeting oil facilities and military installations. The Saudi government has responded with airstrikes and military operations in Yemen, where the Houthi rebels are based. The attack on the airport highlights the ongoing conflict and the risks faced by civilians and aviation workers in the region.
