12 killed in Riyadh, Saudi-led coalition vows to respond
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority says 12 people were killed and 309 injured in the latest Houthi attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid airport, as the Saudi-led coalition vows to respond.
The United States, Qatar, Egypt , Kuwait and Oman are among countries that have condemned the deadly attack which no one has claimed responsibility for.
Arab League condemns Houthi attack on Riyadh airport
The Arab League has condemned continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the latest targeting Riyadh’s King Khalid international airport, saying the repeated targeting of civil aviation facilities represents a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law.
“It also poses a direct threat to the safety of civilians, international air navigation, and the security and stability of the region,” it said in a statement posted on X.
The Arab League also reaffirmed its solidarity with the kingdom and the measures it takes to protect itself.
“The security of the kingdom is an indivisible part of Arab national security,” it added.
Houthis target Saudi airports in ‘airport for airport’ retaliation strategy
There hasn’t been a statement by the armed forces spokesperson for the Ansar Allah Houthi group claiming responsibility for the attack on King Khalid International Airport.
But they have stated previously that Saudi airports will be one of their main targets, and this is what we are seeing.
As part of their “blockade for blockade” equation and “airport for airport”, this is precisely the formula that the Yemeni group is applying because of the attacks, according to the Ansar Allah Houthis, on Sanaa International Airport and because of the Saudi air strikes across various Yemeni provinces under the control of the group.
Their way of retaliation, according to the group, is by attacking Saudi Arabia’s most precious assets, which are Aramco oil facilities and the airport in Riyadh, which is considered their biggest aviation hub.
Although Saudi Arabia has said it will retaliate, let’s not forget that it’s carried out many air strikes across Yemen, and the Yemeni group is still able to launch ballistic missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s security integral part of entire Middle East’s security: Syria’s Foreign Ministry
Syria’s Foreign Ministry has condemned “in the strongest terms” the Houthi attack on Riyadh’s airport, saying Saudi Arabia’s security is an integral part of Syria’s and the entire region’s security.
The ministry said “it considers this a violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and a direct threat to its security and stability, as well as to the safety of civilians, civilian infrastructure and civil aviation.”
It added that “the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of Syria’s own security and that of the region as a whole.”
Houthi attacks a response to Saudi-led coalition strikes in Yemen
Nawaf Obaid, a senior research fellow at King’s College London and security and intelligence analyst, says the Houthis are hitting civilian targets on Saudi territory in response to air strikes by Saudi-led coalition forces on Yemen over the past two weeks.
Obaid told Al Jazeera that attacks by the Iran-backed group were to be expected.
“This is really the only way they can retaliate completely,” he said. Obaid added it was likely a ballistic missile used to strike a “very clearly defined civilian target” – Riyadh’s King Khaled International airport – due to the damage caused.
The Saudi civil aviation authority said 12 people were killed, and more than 300 others were injured in the attack on Saturday.
“That just gives you the nature of who and what Saudi Arabia and its allies are dealing with today.”
He said the attack aimed to portray Saudi Arabia in a negative and weak light and “had to a large extent succeeded”. But he said the Houthis were “getting smashed” on the battlefield.
Riyadh airport closure extended after Houthi attack: NOTAM
The closure of King Khalid international airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, has been extended until 21:00 GMT on Sunday, according to a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued by Saudi civil aviation authorities.
A NOTAM is an official alert providing flight crews with time-sensitive information not known in advance.
There has been no official announcement from Saudi authorities on the extension yet.
The airport was closed after the latest Houthi attack on Riyadh killed 12 people and injured more than 300.
Riyadh schools switch to distance learning after airport attack: AFP
Schools in Riyadh will switch to remote learning for a week following a deadly attack on the capital’s airport, AFP reported, citing an email sent to parents.
“Following instructions from the Ministry of Education, all schools in Riyadh will switch to distance learning for the entire week,” the email read.
Major Saudi conferences to go ahead despite Houthi airspace warning, airport attack
The organisers of the World Petroleum Congress and the Future Investment Initiative have confirmed they will proceed, despite a major attack on Riyadh’s international airport and a warning from Yemen’s Houthis, who have declared Saudi airspace a military operations zone.
The World Petroleum Congress is set to host top global oil executives and policymakers from Sunday to Thursday, with attendees expected to include Saudi government officials and heads of corporations including ExxonMobil, Shell and Woodside Energy.
“Your comfort is our priority,” an email sent to delegates said, noting that alternative routes to Riyadh, including via a four-hour drive from Dammam on the kingdom’s eastern coast, were available.
The Future Investment Initiative would also proceed as planned from October 26 to 29, organisers said.
Chief executives of some of the world’s biggest financial institutions such as JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon and Citi’s Jane Fraser were on the list of expected attendees.
The Houthis have warned airliners to avoid Saudi airspace, declaring it a zone of military operations after the Yemeni government army launched an offensive against the Iran-backed group earlier this month.
Source: Al Jazeera