A fire broke out at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Sunday after it was struck by an unidentified projectile, according to the Saudi-led coalition.
Key facts
- •The Sunday projectile strike caused a fire at Terminal 4 of King Khalid International Airport.
- •Saturday's attack at the airport resulted in 12 deaths and more than 300 injuries.
- •Saudi air defenses intercepted a cruise missile near the airport on Sunday.
- •The Houthi group warned travelers and airlines to avoid Saudi airports, excluding those in Mecca and Medina.
- •The WPC Energy Congress is continuing in Riyadh despite the airport's temporary closure.
A fire occurred at Terminal 4 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday after the facility was struck by an unidentified projectile. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed the incident and reported that air defenses separately intercepted a cruise missile in the vicinity of the airport. The airport had already been closed following a major attack on Saturday that resulted in significant casualties.
By the numbers
Airport Security and Recent Attacks
The Sunday incident follows a series of attacks on Saudi aviation facilities. On Saturday, an attack at the same airport killed 12 people and injured over 300 others, marking the deadliest strike on the kingdom in more than a decade. Operations at the airport were suspended to allow for damage assessments and safety checks. Prior to the weekend, the airport also experienced multiple attacks on Thursday, October 8, and earlier in the week, targeting both facilities and aircraft.
Houthi Warnings and Regional Tensions
The Houthi group issued a warning to airlines and travelers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace, declaring them a theater of operations, with the exception of airports in Mecca and Medina. The Houthi-run foreign ministry stated that future Saudi military actions in Yemen would be met with reciprocal responses. Meanwhile, the Saudi Energy Ministry confirmed that a five-day WPC Energy Congress, attended by over 70 ministers and 300 executives, would proceed at a convention center located 10 kilometers from the airport.
Timeline
- Oct 6 and 7Attacks targeted Abha and King Khalid international airports.
- Thursday, Oct 8Two attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport facilities and a Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft.
- SaturdayAn attack at King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and injured over 300.
- SundayA projectile struck Terminal 4 of the airport, causing a fire.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Anadolu Agency Middle East, In-Cyprus, Al-Monitor.
