“Deadly Assaults at Riyadh Airport Claim Three Lives”

Three Saudi nationals, including an airline pilot, lost their lives in the recent assaults at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, as confirmed by the kingdom’s civil aviation authority on Friday.

The initial attack aimed at airport facilities, followed by a strike on a Saudi aircraft, according to a Saudi statement. The Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the airport with a ballistic missile.

The kingdom reported injuries to several individuals of various nationalities in the attacks. One of the casualties was identified as Capt. Hamoud Ali Alkalthami by the Saudia Group. It marked the first verified attack on the Saudi national carrier since the recent offensive began. Additionally, a statement from the Saudia Group mentioned damage to one of its grounded aircraft without any passengers onboard.

The civil aviation statement highlighted injuries ranging from minor to severe among citizens and individuals of other nationalities. Subsequently, the Saudia Group confirmed the resumption of operational activities at the airport.

On Thursday, numerous flights to and from Riyadh were canceled, as reported by flight-tracking site FlightAware.

Air India suspended operations until Saturday, while the Lufthansa Group announced a flight suspension to Riyadh until October 16. Pakistan International Airlines also halted flights to Riyadh due to the evolving situation in the Middle East.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Embassy cautioned citizens about potential airspace closures.

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