A fresh attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed one person and injured 11 others on Sunday, according to Saudi authorities. The incident followed a deadly strike a day earlier that reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300, raising concerns over airport security and the widening conflict involving Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen said an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4, triggering a fire. Saudi air defences also intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, while a drone was reportedly destroyed in the Eastern Province and a ballistic missile aimed at Khamis Mushait was intercepted.
Emergency alerts were issued in Abha early Monday, although Saudi Civil Defense later said the danger had passed.
Houthis Claim Attacks on Riyadh and Dammam
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack in a televised statement on Sunday. He also said the group had targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and two facilities belonging to Saudi oil company Saudi Aramco.
Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority confirmed a strike at Dammam airport and said damage assessments and safety inspections were under way.
An eyewitness aboard an aircraft taxiing at the airport reportedly said a projectile struck the tarmac near parked aircraft at around 8:30 pm local time, starting a fire. The aircraft returned to its gate, and passengers were asked to disembark and leave the area.
Flight-tracking data showed delays and cancellations affecting arrivals and departures at Dammam, one of Saudi Arabia's major airports.
Travel Warnings Issued as Security Concerns Grow
The escalating attacks prompted travel advisories from foreign authorities. Britain's embassy in Saudi Arabia advised its citizens to avoid all but essential travel to Jeddah, Dammam and airports across the kingdom, with an exception for Medina airport.
US aviation authorities also issued a notice urging American airlines to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia.
The reported death toll from attacks targeting Saudi airports rose to 18 during the week. Saturday's strike reportedly killed 13 people, including four Saudi nationals and foreign nationals. Among those killed was Mohammed Yousuf, a 46-year-old Indian national.
Saudi Military Campaign Intensifies
The attacks have taken place as Saudi Arabia increases its military involvement in Yemen, backing government forces against the Houthis following the rebels' reported seizure of strategic territory along the Red Sea coast.
The Houthis claimed that Saudi Arabia had carried out 124 air strikes in Yemen over a 24-hour period. The Houthi-run foreign ministry warned that the situation could deteriorate further unless Riyadh halted its military operations and interference in Yemen.
US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly told his Saudi counterpart that Tehran was willing to help facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Schools Move to Remote Learning in Riyadh
Despite the security situation, a five-day conference organised by WPC Energy began in Riyadh as scheduled. A ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum also went ahead, according to Saudi Arabia's energy ministry.
However, travel arrangements for foreign officials remained uncertain. Germany was reportedly attempting to arrange a return flight for Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, who was due to leave Riyadh for Berlin on Monday.
Saudi authorities also announced that schools in Riyadh would shift to remote learning from Sunday through Thursday as a precautionary measure.
The latest attacks have intensified concerns over the safety of critical infrastructure, aviation operations and civilian movement as the conflict continues to spread across the region.
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