The civil aviation authority of Saudi Arabia reported that three Saudi citizens, including an airline pilot, lost their lives in attacks directed at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The initial assault targeted airport facilities, while the second hit a Saudi aircraft. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack using a ballistic missile, although the kingdom did not explicitly name the perpetrators. The Saudi statement mentioned that several individuals of various nationalities sustained injuries in the assaults.
Among the deceased was Capt. Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, as confirmed by the Saudia Group. This incident seemed to be the first verified attack on the Saudi national carrier since the commencement of the recent offensive. Additionally, a separate statement from the Saudia Group revealed that one of its aircraft suffered damage while on the ground with no passengers onboard. The aviation authority also noted that the injuries to citizens and individuals of other nationalities ranged from minor to severe.
By Friday afternoon local time, around 124 flights to and from Riyadh had been canceled, following numerous cancellations the previous day, as per data from the flight-tracking site FlightAware.
The Indian Embassy announced that Air India operations were suspended until Saturday, while the Lufthansa Group disclosed that its airlines would halt flights to Riyadh until October 16. Pakistan International Airlines also suspended flights to Riyadh due to the changing circumstances in the Middle East, according to an airline representative.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency updated its guidelines concerning Saudi airspace, highlighting the Houthis’ increased capacity to strike deeper targets within the kingdom, including Riyadh, and the heightened focus on aviation infrastructure. The revised guidance emphasized the elevated risks associated with missile and drone attacks, air-defense system activations, misidentification of civil aircraft, interception activities, and falling debris.
Major escalation
The recent attacks in Saudi Arabia, targeting Riyadh airport, marked the deadliest incidents since the kingdom and its allies in Yemen launched a significant military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels last week. These events also signified a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict, impacting global oil prices and financial markets. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg was scheduled to provide an update on the Yemen situation to the Security Council on Friday.
Saudi allies, including Kuwait and Pakistan, denounced the assault on Riyadh airport. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated that Saudi Arabia has every right to protect its people and critical infrastructure.
Earlier, Saudi officials reported three casualties from Houthi-claimed attacks on airports in Riyadh and Abha.
The Saudi-led coalition declared the destruction of three rocket launch platforms utilized by the rebels to threaten regional security.
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