Saudi authorities reported that attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport on 7 October killed three foreign nationals and wounded 36 others. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed two women—a Moroccan and an Algerian—died in the Abha attack, which also injured 28 people. A Sudanese national was killed in the Riyadh strike, with eight others injured there.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, with military spokesman Yahya Saree stating the group used ballistic missiles and drones to carry out the assaults. “Our armed forces have just targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile. The strike was accurate, by God’s grace, and led to a disruption of air traffic,” Saree said.
Flights at King Khalid International Airport were briefly disrupted, according to flight-tracking data referenced by AP News. The attacks follow earlier strikes on Saudi airports in Najran and Jizan on 6 October, which injured three people, as reported by Saudi authorities.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said, “On Tuesday and Wednesday… Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport were subjected to attacks targeting their facilities.” While the Houthis have asserted using ballistic missiles and drones, independent verification of the exact weapons used at each location remains limited due to the fast-moving conflict and access restrictions.
These attacks are part of a broader escalation in the ongoing cross-border conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen. Saudi officials have not immediately attributed responsibility beyond confirming the casualties and airport disruptions.
This development highlights the continued volatility in the region, affecting civilian infrastructure and foreign nationals. Ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have frequently involved missile and drone strikes targeting border regions and critical facilities.
CapeFlats.co.za will continue to monitor official statements and updates on this story as further information becomes available.