Tragic Houthi Missile Strikes on Riyadh Airport Leave Three Dead, Including Saudi Pilot

Two separate attacks targeting Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement have resulted in the deaths of three Saudi citizens, including a Saudia pilot, and left several others injured.

According to a statement released by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the first strike hit airport facilities, while the second impacted a stationary aircraft belonging to the national carrier Saudia. The incident caused significant property injuries and left both Saudi citizens and foreign residents with injuries ranging from minor to critical, all of whom have been hospitalized.

Saudia confirmed that Captain Hamoud Ali Al-Kalthami was among those killed in the strikes, and verified that one of its grounded planes suffered damage while empty of passengers.

Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the assault. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree posted on X that the group launched two cruise missiles at King Khalid International Airport, alongside additional ballistic missile strikes targeting Najran Airport and an airbase in Khamis Mushait, which reportedly disrupted regional air traffic.

In the wake of the attacks, international travel experienced disruptions. Qatar Airways cancelled multiple flights linking Doha and Riyadh for October 9 and 10 following the mid-flight turnaround of flight QR1164 on Thursday, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety remains its primary concern.

GACA reported that emergency personnel swiftly deployed to the scene, and safety inspections and damage assessments remain ongoing. Operations at King Khalid International Airport have since resumed, with air traffic returning to standard schedules.