An attack involving explosives in Riyadh resulted in multiple injuries on Saturday, leading to a temporary closure of King Khalid International Airport by security forces.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) reported that the attack occurred in the afternoon, and officials are still assessing the number of injured individuals and the overall safety of the airport.
Flights were halted, and passengers were advised to contact their airlines to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport.
Airport Shutdown Following Explosives Attack
The airport closure follows a series of recent attacks on Saudi airports, with Iran linked Yemeni Houthi militants launching ballistic missiles and drones, claiming responsibility for several incidents.
Saturday’s attack triggered explosions at the airport, prompting an evacuation and a swift response from emergency services to assist the injured and evaluate the damage.
Airlines began canceling flights to and from the airport, including Kuwait Airways, which canceled its daily flight between Kuwait and Riyadh due to the closure and ongoing security concerns.
Flight tracking services reported significant disruptions at the airport.
Authorities announced they would provide updates on the airport’s reopening as damage assessments and casualty counts continue.
Series of Attacks Targeting Saudi Airports
Saturday’s incident follows an attack on King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, which resulted in the deaths of three Saudi citizens, including a Saudia pilot, and left several others injured.
A Saudia aircraft was also damaged during that incident, with operations at the airport resuming only the following day.
The Houthi movement, an Iran aligned militia in Yemen, is believed to be behind the latest attack, having previously launched multiple missiles at the airport.
Yemeni Houthi rebels have warned airlines operating in Saudi airspace to cease flights in the area, threatening further attacks on civilian aircraft if they do not comply.
These attacks have raised security concerns in the airline industry regarding the risks posed by non-state actors.
Travel Warnings for Saudi Arabia
The recent attack in Riyadh has prompted airlines to issue warnings against traveling to and from Saudi Arabia, with many carriers reassessing their flight schedules amid significant regional disruptions.
International aviation authorities have voiced concerns about the increasing threats from ballistic missiles and drones launched from Yemen.
Such attacks on airports could have long term effects on international travel and trade across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.
The conflict between Houthi rebels and the Saudi led Yemeni government has intensified recently, with both sides escalating military operations.
This has heightened security concerns across the Arabian Peninsula, particularly regarding the safety of commercial shipping routes.
As of this writing, Saudi Arabia has not officially commented on the Riyadh attack, which is still under investigation by local security forces.
This incident marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Houthi rebels and the Saudi led Yemeni government, raising alarms about threats to civilian infrastructure.
The attacks on Saudi airports have serious implications for various industries and are likely to impact international travel and trade in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.