Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport has been struck again, resulting in a total of 14 fatalities and over 300 injuries across two days of assaults. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a caution to American airlines, advising extreme care when operating flights to or over parts of Saudi Arabia.
Renewed Attacks and Houthi Claims
The latest incident on Sunday followed a strike on the airport Saturday, which initially killed 13 people and injured over 300. Sunday's attack added another death and 11 injuries to the toll. According to the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, an unidentified projectile hit a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport, igniting a fire. The Houthis swiftly claimed responsibility for both attacks, asserting they were retaliatory actions against Saudi operations, including a recent strike on Yemen's capital, Sanaa.
Beyond Riyadh, Saudi authorities reported intercepting a missile near the capital. Furthermore, a projectile reportedly landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, an incident also attributed to the Houthis.
US Issues Travel Warnings and Advisories
In response to the escalating situation, the FAA issued an advisory for US-registered aircraft, valid until December 10. The advisory cited threats stemming from ongoing military activity and potential interference with navigation systems, warning that these risks could impact aircraft at all altitudes during overflights, arrivals, and departures.
The US Embassy in Riyadh reinforced these concerns, strongly recommending that all US citizens avoid King Khalid International Airport and its surrounding areas. US government employees in Saudi Arabia are now required to obtain special authorization to use airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, underscoring the heightened security risks.
Impact on Travel and Regional Events
The successive attacks have led to significant disruptions. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport was closed to flights until at least Monday, 5 PM EDT. The initial strike on Saturday forced Riyadh's financial hub to transition to remote work and prompted executives from major energy companies like BP and Shell to withdraw from a significant energy event in the city.
The UK government has also updated its travel advice, cautioning against all but essential travel to Jeddah, Dammam, and all Saudi airports except Medina. Despite the instability, the 25th World Petroleum Congress and related events are scheduled to proceed through October 15, with organizers assuring comprehensive security measures. Delta Air Lines, however, maintains plans to launch direct flights from Atlanta to Riyadh on October 23, with safety protocols being a key consideration.
Background to the Conflict
The Houthi rebels have been engaged in conflict with the Saudi-led coalition since seizing control of Sanaa in 2014. These recent attacks occur less than a week after Saudi-backed forces in Yemen launched an offensive aimed at reclaiming Houthi-held territories, signaling a potential intensification of the long-running regional conflict.