A new attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, occurred on Sunday, resulting in the death of a Pakistani citizen and injuries to 11 others. This attack came just one day after a similar attack that left 12 dead and hundreds injured.
Details of the Attack and Reactions
The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia confirmed in a statement that Riyadh Airport was attacked on Sunday afternoon. Additionally, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen announced that a cruise missile was intercepted by air defense systems around the airport. However, no further details were provided.
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The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for these attacks and stated that they had conducted four qualitative operations using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones in the past 24 hours. The group also emphasized that they have targeted Riyadh Airport multiple times, as well as Dammam Airport in the east of the country and two facilities belonging to the state oil company Aramco.
Consequences of the Attacks and International Reactions
Furthermore, Saudi officials confirmed that Dammam Airport was also attacked. These attacks coincided with Houthi warnings to airlines and travelers to avoid using Saudi airports. They stated that the airports in Mecca and Medina would not be targeted, but other airports are at risk of attack.
Saudi Arabia has increased its military presence in Yemen in recent weeks and has been conducting attacks against the Houthis. The country is also supporting a counter-offensive by the Yemeni government following the capture of strategic areas along the Red Sea coast by the rebels. According to Houthi officials, 91 Yemenis have been killed by the Saudi-led coalition in the past five weeks, 60 percent of whom are women and children.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, condemned the attacks and emphasized that the European Union stands in solidarity with Saudi Arabia. She also warned that these attacks would lead to increased insecurity in the region and instability in global transportation networks.
Meanwhile, the German Foreign Minister and the British Defense Minister also condemned these attacks, describing them as a terrorist act. Russia, as a strategic partner of Iran, has called for an end to the conflicts through political and diplomatic means.
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