A projectile struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 11 others, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The deceased was identified as a Pakistani resident, and the injured individuals were transported to various hospitals for medical treatment.
The attack targeted terminals 3 and 4, which handle domestic flights, and occurred one day after a missile strike by Houthi forces that killed 12 people and injured over 300, as reported by the Saudi-led coalition engaged in combat against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
India’s embassy in Saudi Arabia indicated that one of its citizens succumbed to injuries from the previous day's attack, raising the death toll to 13. Following the recent incident, GACA announced that damage assessments and safety inspections of the airport were being conducted.
A witness on a taxiing aircraft reported to Reuters that a projectile hit the tarmac near several parked planes around 8:30 PM local time, causing a fire. The aircraft returned to the gate, and passengers were instructed to disembark.
The Riyadh airport has experienced four attacks in the past five days. The Houthi strikes on Thursday resulted in the deaths of at least three Saudi citizens, including a pilot, according to GACA. The airport has been closed since Saturday’s attack, which was noted as the deadliest incident in the country since the US-Israel war on Iran began in late February.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks leading up to Sunday’s incident. The escalation of attacks on the airport has intensified the conflict in Yemen and raised concerns about potential US military involvement, as President Donald Trump is reportedly considering joining the fight against the Houthis.
This situation could further impact global oil supplies and prices, as well as commercial shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated his intention to communicate with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is seeking assistance against the Houthis, but there were no indications that this discussion took place on Sunday.
Concerns persist that US intervention might lead the Houthis to disrupt shipping through Bab al-Mandeb, further limiting oil exports from the Gulf. The rebels had taken control of significant areas along the strait last month, while the Saudi-led coalition continues efforts to regain control for Yemen’s internationally recognized government.