Three Saudi citizens have been killed and several others injured following two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with Yemen's Houthi rebels claiming responsibility.
Attacks target airport facilities and aircraft
The first strike on Thursday targeted facilities at the capital's airport, while a second hit a stationary Saudia aircraft, according to officials.
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed in a statement on X on Friday that the strikes also resulted in "injuries to a number of Saudi citizens and residents of various nationalities".
Deadliest attack since military offensive
The incident represents the deadliest attack on Saudi territory since the nation and its allies initiated a major military offensive against Iran-backed Houthi forces in neighbouring Yemen last weekend, reports The Mirror.
While Saudi aviation authorities did not name the perpetrators, the Houthis claimed they launched a ballistic missile at the site.
Saudia confirms first casualty
Saudia Group confirmed that Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami was among those killed, marking the airline's first confirmed casualty since the new military campaign began.
In a separate statement, Saudia Group said one of its aircraft had been damaged while it was on the ground, with no passengers on board.
The company said injuries among Saudi citizens and people of other nationalities "ranged from minor to serious". It added that operations at the airport returned to normal as of 6pm local time on Thursday, hours after the attack.
Coalition response and international condemnation
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had destroyed three rocket-launch platforms used by the rebels to threaten regional security.
The airport in the Saudi capital has come under attack multiple times in recent days.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X on Friday that "attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable" and offered her condolences to the victims' families and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners.
"Iran's proxies must stop their reckless and violent acts," she added, saying the Houthis had "once again" struck the airport.
