Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Leave 3 Dead, 36 Injured
Houthi attacks on Abha and King Khalid International Airports in Saudi Arabia have resulted in three fatalities and 36 injuries, according to GACA.
Three people have lost their lives and 36 others have sustained injuries following a series of Houthi attacks targeting major aviation hubs in Saudi Arabia. According to the Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the strikes hit Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in two separate incidents occurring on October 6 and 7.
Casualties and Damage at Major Airports
The attacks resulted in significant loss of life and a wide range of injuries across both locations. The details provided by GACA highlight the human cost of the strikes:
- Abha International Airport: Two people were killed in this strike, identified as female residents of Moroccan and Algerian nationalities. The attack also injured 28 people, including Saudi citizens and residents from Bangladesh and the Philippines. Injuries reported range from minor to critical.
- King Khalid International Airport: One Sudanese resident was killed during the attack, with eight others injured. The injured group includes five Saudi citizens, two Egyptian residents, and one Pakistani resident.
Beyond the human toll, GACA confirmed that the attacks caused property damage at the facilities. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to manage the situation and provide medical care to the injured, who have been transported to hospitals.
GACA and GCC Respond to Escalation
The General Authority of Civil Aviation stated that it is working closely with relevant authorities to assess the structural damage and verify the safety of the airport facilities. The primary goal remains to ensure passenger safety and maintain secure operations within the Kingdom's civil aviation system.
On the diplomatic front, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi issued a strong condemnation of the strikes. He described the Houthi actions as "systematic crimes" specifically targeting civilians. Al Jazeera reported that Al-Budaiwi characterized the targeting of civilian airports as a "dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international laws and norms," while affirming that GCC countries stand united with Saudi Arabia.
Heightened Security and Military Conflict
The attacks come at a time of heightened tension in the region. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh recently issued a security alert, advising U.S. citizens to exercise heightened vigilance due to ongoing Houthi threats against airports and airspace across the Kingdom. Travelers have been warned of potential flight cancellations and airspace closures.
In a direct military response, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it successfully destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform in Yemen's capital, Sanaa. The operation was conducted to prevent an imminent attack against the Kingdom. Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that his group has been targeting Yemeni government forces with ballistic missiles across various routes, including areas near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.