17 Killed, More Than 330 Injured in Attacks on Riyadh Airport Since October 1, Saudi-Led Coalition Says

Dragon Media News Desk

Attacks on King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital have killed 17 people and injured more than 330 since October 1, the Saudi-led coalition said Thursday. The airport came under 20 attacks during the two-week period, it said, amid continued threats from Yemen’s Houthi group.

At a news conference in Riyadh, coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki presented figures on Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia from March 26, 2016, to October 15, 2026. He said the group had launched 1,104 ballistic missiles and 1,135 drones, and used 118 explosive-laden boats and 278 naval mines during that period.

Al-Maliki accused the Houthis of acquiring military technology with assistance from what he called “regional parties.” He said the group had established weapons storage facilities in mountainous areas of Yemen’s Sanaa, Saada and Amran provinces to serve as launch points for attacks.

The coalition had destroyed 127 Houthi storage facilities in recent days, Al-Maliki said. He added that Saudi air defense systems were effectively intercepting missiles and drones.

The coalition would continue operations to counter Houthi military capabilities and threats to Saudi Arabia’s security and to maritime navigation in the southern Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, he said.

Al-Maliki also accused the Houthis of attempting to target Islam’s two holiest mosques in Mecca and Medina.

Earlier Thursday, the coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile in the Medina region. The Houthis rejected the allegation, saying they had not carried out any attack toward Saudi territory that day.