Attack on Riyadh Airport Leaves One Dead and Eleven Injured

A missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to eleven others, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia. The deceased has been identified as a Pakistani national, while the injured were promptly transported to various hospitals for necessary medical treatment.

This latest attack occurred on Sunday, affecting terminals three and four, which accommodate domestic flights. The incident comes just a day after another missile attack attributed to Yemen's Houthi rebels, which reportedly killed twelve people and wounded over three hundred. The Saudi-led coalition, engaged in military actions against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, provided this update.

In a statement, the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia confirmed that an Indian citizen had died as a result of injuries sustained in the previous day’s missile attack, raising the overall death toll to thirteen.

Following the attack on Sunday, GACA announced that damage assessments and safety evaluations of the airport were in progress.

A witness, present on an aircraft that was taxiing at the time of the strike, told Reuters that a projectile impacted the runway near several stationary planes around 8:30 p.m. local time (17:30 GMT), igniting a fire. The passengers were later taken back to the terminal and instructed to leave the area.

The Riyadh airport has been targeted multiple times in recent days, with strikes reported four times within the past five days. The attack on Thursday resulted in the deaths of three Saudi citizens, including a pilot, escalating concerns over safety in the region.

Since the onset of hostilities linked to the US-Israel confrontation with Iran in late February, this sequence of airport attacks has heightened fears regarding regional security. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for all recent assaults, significantly raising tensions surrounding the ongoing war in Yemen.

There are increasing concerns that these developments might provoke a military response from the United States. US President Donald Trump has indicated he is contemplating involvement in the conflict against the Houthis. In addition, he has expressed intentions to discuss the situation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, although there have been no further updates following these statements.

The unfolding situation poses potential risks to global oil supply chains and commercial shipping operations through the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital passage for energy transport. Previous reports indicated that the Houthis had gained control of strategic locations along the strait last month, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to initiate efforts to reclaim these territories.