Houthi attacks on Saudi airports kill 3

Three people were killed and 36 others injured after separate attacks targeted two major airports in Saudi Arabia, according to the kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

The attacks struck Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Tuesday and Wednesday. Saudi authorities said emergency teams and security agencies responded to both incidents, while the attacks also caused material damage.

Two residents, a Moroccan and an Algerian national, were killed in the attack on Abha airport, while 28 people were injured. The injured included Saudi citizens as well as Bangladeshi and Filipino residents, with some suffering serious injuries.

A separate attack on King Khalid International Airport killed a Sudanese national and injured eight people. Five Saudi citizens, two Egyptians and a Pakistani national were among those wounded. All injured people were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attacks. Military spokesman Yahya Saree said drones were used against the Riyadh airport, while ballistic missiles and drones were deployed against Abha airport.

The attacks came amid renewed tensions between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government. Saudi Arabia has led the coalition’s military campaign against the Houthis since 2015.

The coalition later said it had destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform in Sanaa that was allegedly being prepared for an attack on Riyadh. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the platform was destroyed before the planned strike could be carried out.

Meanwhile, the US Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert, urging American citizens to remain highly vigilant amid the escalating hostilities and threats to airports and airspace.

The mission warned that the situation could lead to flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions. It advised US citizens to avoid areas near the Yemeni border and follow instructions from Saudi authorities.

The UK Embassy also warned British nationals that Saudi Arabia remained vulnerable to missile and drone attacks targeting cities, airports, military facilities and energy infrastructure.