King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital experienced a second attack within two days, according to military and civil aviation officials. A projectile struck the facility on Sunday, igniting a fire in one of the passenger terminal areas and resulting in injuries to airport personnel and travelers. The strike follows an earlier assault on the same airport that resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injured individuals.
Yemeni Houthi forces claimed responsibility for both recent strikes as well as additional attacks on oil infrastructure and Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia. Military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree stated that the group had employed ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned drones in coordinated operations during the preceding 24 hours. Saree indicated that operations would continue to intensify within Saudi territory and cautioned that all Saudi airports except those in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina remained potential targets. The group cited Saudi Arabia’s military support for government forces in Yemen’s ongoing civil conflict and airstrikes on Sanaa airport as justifications for the campaign.
The Saturday strike marked the deadliest single attack on a Gulf Arab nation since the broader regional conflict expanded in February. Casualty figures included nationals from multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, and India. The Saudi-led coalition denounced the attacks as war crimes and pledged a response. International reactions included condemnations from US President Donald Trump and UK and US diplomatic officials, with Trump indicating rapid decision-making regarding potential military action against the Houthis.
These escalating attacks represent a resumption of intensive hostilities following the breakdown of a temporary ceasefire arrangement that had been in place since 2022 and collapsed in July. Recent Houthi territorial gains along the Red Sea coast prompted Saudi military responses. The Iran-backed group currently controls approximately a quarter of Yemen’s territory and maintains significant influence over population centers. Saudi Arabia has expressed concerns that expanded Houthi control could result in the establishment of an Iranian-aligned state along its southern border.
Western governments have issued travel warnings for the region, with the UK Foreign Office advising against all travel to certain Saudi areas near the Yemeni border. International leaders have called for coordinated responses to address the escalating violence and regional instability.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI