A missile strike on the international airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured more than 300 others on Saturday, October 10, according to reports from liepajniekiem.lv and LSM. The attack prompted the closure of King Khalid International Airport, where emergency responders deployed more than ten ambulances to evacuate the site.
Flight Suspensions and Regional Air Traffic Disruptions
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority announced a mandatory flight ban lasting through Sunday midnight as a preventive measure to guarantee aviation safety. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 shows that air traffic is severely disrupted not only in Riyadh but also in Dammam in the eastern part of the country and the coastal city of Jeddah in the west. Gulf Business reported that the cascading security measures and closures have resulted in the cancellation of nearly 1,500 flights across the kingdom.
Carriers including Bahrain-state-owned Gulf Air and the Lufthansa Group have temporarily suspended all flights to Riyadh. The disruptions follow a sharp escalation in attacks targeting major infrastructure hubs across the kingdom.
Diplomatic sources speaking to Agence France-Presse confirmed that Houthi rebels based in Yemen are responsible for the missile strike. Houthi forces have intensified their campaign against Saudi targets in recent weeks, directing missiles toward civilian airports and vital oil installations. Prior to Saturday’s fatal strike, separate missile attacks earlier in the week killed three Saudi citizens and one Sudanese national.
Military Coalition Background and Red Sea Security
For several years, Saudi Arabia has led an international coalition providing military support to the Yemeni government in its ongoing conflict against Houthi forces. Despite these military operations, Houthi fighters secured control over Yemen’s western coastline last month, expanding their strategic reach to threaten commercial shipping lanes operating in the Red Sea.
Following the weekend attack, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman addressed an energy congress in Riyadh on Monday to project stability. The word ‘fear’ does not exist in Saudi Arabia’s dictionary,
the minister stated during the conference.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Riyadh Airport Strike
Which airlines have suspended flights to Riyadh?
Gulf Air, owned by the government of Bahrain, and carriers within the Lufthansa Group are among the international operators that have temporarily halted flights to the Saudi capital.
How many casualties resulted from the attack?
The missile strike on King Khalid International Airport resulted in 12 fatalities and left more than 300 individuals injured.
What is the status of Saudi airspace?
Saudi civil aviation authorities enforced a nationwide flight ban scheduled to remain in effect until Sunday midnight, citing mandatory preventive safety measures.
Who is blamed for the missile attack?
Diplomatic sources speaking to Agence France-Presse attributed the strike to Houthi rebels operating out of Yemen, who have increased their rocket attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities.
Keep reading