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Three people killed in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia airports
Overview
Three people have been killed and dozens wounded in attacks by Houthi forces on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia over a two-day period. The attacks mark an escalation in the conflict between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi fighters, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from the Saudi-led coalition and deep concern from the United Nations.
Key points
- Three people were killed across two attacks on Saudi Arabian airports on 6 and 7 October.
- An attack at Abha International Airport killed two women (Moroccan and Algerian) and wounded 28 others.
- An attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed a Sudanese male resident and wounded eight others.
- Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating ballistic missiles and drones were used in response to Saudi airstrikes.
- The Saudi-led coalition stated the attacks 'will not go unpunished' and targeted over 80 Houthi military sites in response.
- The UN reported that the escalation in fighting has displaced more than 200,000 people.