In a troubling escalation of violence, three civilians have lost their lives, and 36 others have sustained injuries as a result of Houthi attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport. This alarming information was disclosed by the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region. The assault on Abha International Airport tragically resulted in the deaths of two female residents, one hailing from Morocco and the other from Algeria, while 28 individuals were injured in the incident.
Simultaneously, the attack on King Khalid International Airport, located in the capital city of Riyadh, claimed the life of a Sudanese national and left eight others wounded, including five Saudi citizens. In response to these attacks, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation has emphasized its commitment to ensuring passenger and worker safety by collaborating closely with relevant security authorities to assess the damage and implement necessary security measures.
This series of attacks follows earlier incidents where Saudi-led coalition forces successfully intercepted a suspected Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh's airport on September 18. The very next day, explosions were reported near the airport, accompanied by a significant plume of black smoke rising from a fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, further raising concerns about the ongoing conflict.
The situation in Yemen remains precarious, with Saudi-backed Yemeni forces engaged in intense battles against Houthi factions aligned with Iran. These Houthi forces have gained control over considerable territories along the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb strait, which serves as a crucial maritime route connecting the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea. In light of the escalating violence and instability, the United States embassy in Riyadh has issued a renewed security alert for American citizens residing in Saudi Arabia, urging them to exercise heightened vigilance as the security situation continues to evolve.
As reported by aljazeera.com.
