Riyadh: A fresh attack on King Khalid International Airport killed one person and injured 11 others on Sunday, intensifying concerns over repeated Houthi strikes on Saudi aviation infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority identified the person killed as a Pakistani resident. The Saudi-led coalition said a projectile struck the airport and triggered a fire, while air defences intercepted another missile nearby.
The latest strike followed Saturday’s attack, which killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, according to subsequent coverage. The consecutive attacks have increased regional tensions and disrupted operations at one of Saudi Arabia’s principal international gateways.
Airport Closure Extends Travel Disruption
Operations at King Khalid International Airport remained suspended following the attacks. According to Flightradar24 information cited in the supplied AFP article, the closure was extended until 9 PM GMT on Monday, October 12—midnight in Saudi Arabia and 2:30 AM IST on Tuesday, October 13.
The suspension compounded uncertainty for passengers travelling through Riyadh. The US, Canadian, German and Spanish embassies warned their citizens to avoid the airport, while Australia urged its citizens in Saudi Arabia to remain indoors and follow safety instructions. Saudi authorities also announced an attack involving Dammam airport in the eastern region. The Houthis claimed to have targeted both airports as part of their latest operations.
Houthi Strikes Prompt Saudi Defence Response
The Houthis claimed multiple attacks and threatened further strikes on Saudi transport hubs. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a drone in the eastern region and, early on Monday, destroyed a ballistic missile heading towards Khamis Mushait.
The repeated attacks have placed additional pressure on Saudi air defences. Security analyst Thomas Juneau of the University of Ottawa said the kingdom’s large geographical area made consistent protection against missile and drone attacks difficult.
The coalition condemned Saturday’s airport strike and pledged a decisive response. Houthi authorities subsequently alleged that Saudi airstrikes in Yemen’s Sanaa governorate killed one civilian and injured five others. Their casualty account was not independently verified in the supplied information.
Saudi Airport Attacks Draw International Condemnation
The attacks have drawn condemnation from several governments. Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement describing the strikes as a dangerous escalation and calling for an immediate end to hostilities.
The Indian embassy confirmed that an Indian national injured in Saturday’s attack had died. It also said three injured Indians remained in intensive care but were stable, while assistance was being provided to affected families.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged a political solution during discussions with his Saudi counterpart, according to Iranian state media cited in the supplied article. He said Tehran was prepared to help facilitate dialogue.
The airport strikes have heightened concern over civilian safety, international travel and the wider Yemen conflict. Competing claims about military developments on the ground remain difficult to verify independently.
