Saudi authorities say three killed in Houthi-claimed attacks on Riyadh airport

Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was closed after attacks on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, according to Newswire. A report citing Saudi authorities said the Sunday attack killed one person and injured nearly a dozen. Newswire said the Saturday attack killed 13 and wounded more than 300; Daily Mirror also described a deadly missile attack on Riyadh airport on the previous day.

On Monday, October 12, a Notice to Air Missions extended the closure until 9 p.m. GMT on October 17, or midnight on October 18 in Saudi Arabia, Newswire reported. The General Authority of Civil Aviation said the extra time was needed for safety checks and to prepare airport facilities before operations could restart.

Yemen’s Houthi movement warned passengers not to use airports in Saudi Arabia. Lankadeepa reported that the appeal covered all air travellers, including foreign nationals, while Ada Derana said the warning was renewed to airlines as well as travellers. The reports do not give further details of the warning.

The shutdown disrupted air travel to the Saudi capital. Newswire reported that several airlines suspended Riyadh flights and aircraft largely avoided the city, while services continued through other Saudi airports, including Jeddah. It cited Cirium data putting cancellations across Saudi airports at 46.4%. Newswire also reported the emergence of CCTV footage showing the first attack, but provided no further description of it.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.