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Three Saudi nationals, including Saudia airline captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, were killed in two attacks at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
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Yemen’s Houthi rebels reportedly claimed responsibility, saying they launched missiles at the airport.
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Several people of different nationalities sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical, while the attacks also caused property damage.
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Saudi aviation authorities said emergency teams evacuated the injured to hospitals and confirmed that airport operations and air traffic had resumed.
October 9, (THEWILL) – Three Saudi nationals, including a captain with Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, have been killed in two attacks targeting facilities and an aircraft at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels reportedly claiming responsibility for the assault.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the fatalities in a statement on Friday, a day after the incidents, adding that several other people of different nationalities sustained injuries.
The Houthi rebels, an Iran-aligned armed group operating in Yemen, claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they had launched missiles at the airport.
One of the deceased was identified as Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, a pilot with Saudia who was among those killed in the attacks.
According to GACA, the first attack targeted facilities within the airport, while the second struck an aircraft operated by Saudia.
The authority did not disclose the specific weapons or methods used in the two incidents, the extent of the damage to the aircraft, or whether the attacks were part of a wider operation.
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GACA said emergency response teams and relevant authorities acted promptly after the attacks, evacuating injured victims to hospitals for medical attention. It added that the injuries ranged from minor to critical, while the incidents also caused damage to property at the airport.
The aviation authority said it was working with security agencies to assess the extent of the destruction and implement necessary measures to protect passengers, airport workers and the country’s civil aviation infrastructure.
Despite the fatalities, injuries and property damage, GACA confirmed that airport operations and air traffic had resumed following the attacks.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
