Saudia plane damaged in Houthi attacks at Riyadh airport, Saudi civil aviation confirms

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) reported that a Saudia aircraft was damaged after two attacks on King Khalid International Airport on Thursday. The first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second targeted a Saudia flight. Emergency responders quickly arrived to address the situation, following established protocols.

The attacks resulted in three Saudi deaths and multiple injuries ranging from minor to serious. The injuries required hospitalization for treatment. Material damage was also reported at the airport.

These attacks are part of a rising Houthi campaign against Saudi Arabia. The Houthi movement escalated their strikes against the kingdom, including a ballistic missile attack at Riyadh airport. Major airlines, Lufthansa and Air India, have suspended flights to Riyadh in response to the incident. So far, nearly half of the airport's scheduled departures have been canceled on Thursday, with an additional 31 cancellations expected on Friday across Saudi airports.

The Houthi attacks echo earlier incidents where they threatened energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, indicating a broader strategy to disrupt the kingdom's operations. Saudi authorities have emphasized their commitment to restoring normal airport operations and ensuring passenger safety.