Riyadh Airport Attacked By Houthis For Second Time

The Houthi militia in Yemen said “all global airlines” flying in Saudi Arabian airspace are at risk after claiming responsibility for striking King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh with a missile for the second time this week.

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia said in a statement that it “is aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport” on Oct. 8, adding: “The Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including against civilian airports, and the military conflict has the potential to escalate.”

The Oct. 8 attack came as the United Nations (UN) and governments around the world condemned the Houthis for striking RUH and Abha International Airport (AHB) in southwestern Saudi Arabia earlier this week, which the Saudi government said caused three fatalities.

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has not confirmed the latest strike on RUH. Multiple news outlets, including the Associated Press and Reuters, reported there was an explosion at RUH on Oct. 8. Reuters reported a Saudia aircraft had been damaged. Images circulating on social media appeared to show a destroyed Saudia aircraft on the tarmac at RUH.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said a missile fired at RUH on Oct. 8 “struck its target with precision.”

He added: “We reiterate our call and warning for the last time to all global airlines regarding the consequences of continuing to operate flights in Saudi airspace, which has become a theater for our military operations.”

Flight tracking platform Flighttrader24 reported 335 flights were canceled at RUH on Oct. 8.

GACA said on Oct. 7 that the Houthis had struck AHB and RUH in two separate attacks occurring on Oct. 6 and 7.

The “blatant attack” on AHB caused two fatalities and 28 injuries “ranging from minor to serious,” GACA said. The attack on RUH resulted in one fatality and eight injuries “ranging from minor to critical,” the organization added.

GACA said it is “working in coordination with the relevant authorities to assess the damage, verify the safety of the facilities and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and maintain the security and safety of operations within the [Saudi Arabia’s] civil aviation system.”

The UN said the attacks targeting civilian airports violated international law.