Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on Saturday evening the temporary suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh, following a missile attack that resulted in several injuries. The incident represents a security escalation with immediate repercussions on air traffic and regional flights.
The Authority stated in a release that the airport was targeted on Saturday afternoon, confirming that the attack caused a number of injuries that are currently being accounted for. Operational suspension will persist until damage assessment and facility safety verification are completed in coordination with relevant authorities. Updates will be provided subsequently.
While the Authority has not disclosed full details regarding the extent of the damage or the exact number of casualties, Agence France-Presse quoted a diplomatic source attributing the missile strike to Houthi militias. This report coincided with eyewitness accounts of an explosion and subsequent evacuation procedures within the airport premises.
Witnesses reported observing multiple ambulances converging on the airport, with further reports indicating the presence of over ten ambulances in the vicinity to manage the aftermath. The airport had previously advised passengers to contact their airlines and verify the status of their flights before heading to the terminal.
The attack's impact extended to air travel, with Kuwait Airways announcing the cancellation of a flight from Kuwait to Riyadh and its return leg due to the airport closure amid the security situation. The airline urged passengers to monitor updates sent via text messages.
Flight tracking data revealed the rerouting or cancellation of several flights bound for Riyadh. Additional cancellations were reported for flights connecting the Saudi capital with regional airline hubs, underscoring the direct and widespread implications of the incident on air transport.
The targeting of King Khalid International Airport occurs within the context of escalating attacks attributed to Iran-backed Houthi militias against Saudi Arabia. This development poses increasing security risks to civil aviation facilities and passenger movement, raising concerns about the potential expansion of the confrontation's ramifications to vital civilian infrastructure and regional transportation networks.
