Saudi Arabian authorities have confirmed that three citizens, including a pilot for the national flag carrier Saudia, were killed in Houthi-led attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Thursday. The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority described the deaths as the "martyrdom of three citizens" following two separate strikes targeting the facility and a parked aircraft.
The attacks caused widespread disruption, forcing diplomats and residents to shelter in place while multiple international schools implemented safety protocols. According to the kingdom's civil defense agency, debris from intercepted missiles caused damage to a kindergarten and a medical complex within the capital. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree has since issued a statement suggesting that all humanitarian and commercial flights to Riyadh must now seek authorization from a Houthi-controlled coordinating body in Sanaa.
In response to the escalation, the Saudi-led coalition conducted several retaliatory air strikes on Houthi military positions in Sanaa. Meanwhile, conflicting reports continue to emerge regarding the control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, with Saudi-backed forces claiming to have retaken the area while Houthi-affiliated sources maintain that the offensive was repelled.
Source: France 24