This article is from: srnnews.com
Saudi Arabia Says 12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport
By The Media Line Staff
An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday killed 12 people and injured 309 others, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said early Sunday, as the kingdom faced renewed strikes following an escalation in fighting with Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
The assault on October 10 struck the airport’s passenger facilities, prompting authorities to suspend operations, evacuate affected areas, and assess the damage. No group immediately claimed responsibility, although the Houthis had acknowledged previous attacks on the airport earlier in the week.
The aviation authority said four Saudi citizens were among those killed. The other victims included two Bangladeshis and one national each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian territories, and Sudan.
The 309 injured were receiving treatment at hospitals, with some in critical condition, according to the authority. Officials were continuing to evaluate damage to airport infrastructure.
The attack disrupted flights at one of Saudi Arabia’s principal international aviation hubs. Airlines canceled or diverted services, while foreign embassies advised their citizens to avoid the airport. Saudi authorities urged affected passengers to contact their airlines and directed Saudi travelers stranded abroad to seek assistance from diplomatic missions.
Saturday’s strike was the latest in a series of attacks targeting the airport. On Thursday, two assaults killed three Saudi citizens, including a Saudia airline pilot, and damaged an aircraft belonging to the national carrier. Flights had subsequently resumed before the latest attack forced another suspension.
The renewed violence follows intensified fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and forces aligned with the internationally recognized government, which receives Saudi support.
The Houthis have targeted Saudi airports, military installations, and energy facilities while fighting continues over territory and strategic routes, including approaches to the Bab el Mandeb Strait.
President Donald Trump said Washington was considering participation in Saudi military action against the Houthis but had not announced a decision.
The attacks have also raised security concerns ahead of major international energy and investment conferences scheduled in Riyadh.
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