Kathmandu. Airports in Saudi Arabia continue to be targeted. King Fahd International Airport (Dammam) in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province came under new attack on Sunday evening after the deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the airport was targeted. According to officials, the damage to airport facilities is being assessed and security checks are ongoing. The exact extent of damage and casualties has not been released.
Earlier on Saturday, Saudi officials initially reported that 12 people, including an American, had been killed and more than 300 injured in the attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The Indian Embassy later reported that one Indian national had died from injuries in the attack. As a result, the death toll has risen to 13. The number of injured was reported to be more than 300.
On Sunday, Riyadh Airport Terminal 4 was also reported to have been targeted by an unidentified missile. According to the Saudi-led coalition, a fire broke out after the incident. Officials began assessing the damage and claimed to have intercepted cruise missiles near the airport.
Houthi military spokesman Yahia Sari claimed responsibility for the Riyadh attack in a televised address. He also warned that “worse things will happen” unless Saudi Arabia stops its “attacks” in Yemen.
According to the Anadolu News Agency, the Houthis claimed to have attacked Dammam airport, Riyadh airport, and major Saudi Arabian energy facilities. These claims are yet to be verified by all independent accounts.
The airport attacks come amid escalating military tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia has stepped up its military operations in Yemen in recent weeks and has backed government forces there.
The Houthi-controlled Foreign Ministry has warned that retaliatory attacks could intensify if Saudi Arabia does not stop military action and intervention in Yemen. The Houthis have also accused Yemen of carrying out 124 airstrikes in the past 24 hours. This figure is claimed by the Houthis, but independent confirmation is not available.
Dammam is a major city in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and is considered important for the oil and gas industry. King Fahd International Airport is a major air hub for the region. The confirmation that Dammam Airport was targeted after Riyadh has raised concerns about the safety of Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation infrastructure. Detailed official information on damage, casualties and impact on flights at Dammam Airport is awaited. -Agency
