Riyadh: Three people were killed and 36 injured in attacks targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said on Wednesday, October 7.
The incidents occurred on Tuesday, October 6, and Wednesday, prompting aviation authorities and other relevant agencies to activate established emergency procedures.
At Abha airport, two residents — a Moroccan woman and an Algerian woman — were killed, while 28 Saudi citizens and residents suffered injuries ranging from minor to serious.
At King Khalid International Airport, a Sudanese resident was killed and eight others were injured. They included five Saudi citizens, two Egyptian residents and one Pakistani resident.
All those injured were taken to hospitals for treatment. GACA said the incidents also caused material damage but did not provide further details on the extent of the damage.
The authority said it was coordinating with relevant security agencies to assess the damage and take necessary measures to protect passengers and airport employees and maintain the safety of Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation system.
Houthis claim responsibility
Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks on Wednesday.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group used drones in its operation against King Khalid International Airport and ballistic missiles and drones in the operation involving Abha airport.
The claim came amid an escalation between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Saudi Arabia has led the coalition’s military campaign in Yemen since March 2015.
Muslim World League condemns attack
The Makkah-based Muslim World League condemned the attack by Houthis, calling it “heinous aggression” against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The General Secretariat, Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Andulkarim Al-Issa, issued a statement, once again denouncing the “treacherous terrorist attacks” which he said violates all religious values and international humanitarian laws. Such attacks highlight the Houthis’ criminal nature of targeting civilians and civilian objects, he said.
The MWL leader expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the measures it takes to deter the attackers and safeguard its citizens.
Kuwait denounces Houthi attack
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Thursday, October 8, expressing strong denunciation of the “brazen attacks by the Houthi militia” against Abha Airport and King Khalid International Airport. It said the attack was a flagrant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law and international humanitarian law.
The Ministry emphasised Kuwait’s categorical rejection of the recurrence of these cowardly attacks that target innocent civilians and civilian and economic facilities, affirming the necessity of halting them immediately.
