By.philes isaboke
Three Saudi citizens, including a national pilot, were killed after Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired ballistic missiles at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed Friday that the attack on Thursday, October 8, killed three people and wounded several others of different nationalities.
The deceased pilot was identified as Captain Hamoud Ali al-Kalthami. In an obituary, Saudia Group said, “It is with profound sadness that Saudia announces the passing of Captain Hamoud Ali al-Kalthami, who lost his life on Thursday in the incident at King Khalid International Airport.”
According to GACA, the first missile targeted airport facilities, while the second struck a Saudia aircraft parked on the tarmac. The aircraft had no passengers on board at the time but sustained damage.
The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying they targeted the airport with a ballistic missile.
The attack is the deadliest on Saudi soil since the Kingdom launched a military offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. It prompted hundreds of flight cancellations. FlightAware reported massive disruptions, with Air India suspending flights to Riyadh through Saturday, Lufthansa Group through October 16, and Pakistan International Airlines also suspending operations.
The United States Embassy issued a security alert Friday urging Americans across the Middle East to “exercise heightened vigilance” due to potential airspace closures and travel disruptions.
Oil prices surged more than 5 percent on Friday following the attack, amid fears of wider shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
Operations at the airport resumed at 6 p.m. Thursday, but Saudi authorities said they are assessing damage and reviewing security.
The escalation comes days before Riyadh was due to host a major gathering of global oil industry leaders.
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