Saudi coalition reports 17 deaths, 333 injuries from Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport

Saudi Arabia’s coalition forces have reported significant casualties following a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. According to Major General Turki al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led multinational coalition, the attacks resulted in 17 deaths and 333 injuries.

Casualties and Attack Details

The coalition stated that the attacks occurred between October 7 and October 11. Al-Maliki provided specific details regarding the weaponry used in the assault on the airport. "According to al-Maliki, the attack on King Khalid International Airport involved 10 drones, missiles and other projectiles," the coalition reported. The spokesperson described these actions as a threat to regional security and issued a direct call to the Houthi forces to "immediately halt operations targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure."

Coalition Military Response

In response to the attacks, the coalition announced military operations aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities. Al-Maliki stated that coalition forces had destroyed 127 Houthi storage facilities located in mountainous areas. Additionally, the coalition reported the destruction of "numerous launch platforms." The coalition also accused the Houthis of attempting to target dozens of airports, oil facilities, and ports across Saudi Arabia.

Conflicting Claims and Interceptions

There are conflicting accounts regarding the specific timing and nature of the attacks. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree denied that the group had carried out any operation targeting Saudi territory on Thursday. However, on Wednesday evening, Saree announced that the Houthis had targeted King Khalid International Airport with a ballistic missile, though he provided no further details about the outcome.

The coalition reported multiple interceptions during this period. On Wednesday, the coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh. This followed an earlier announcement that a cruise missile had been intercepted over Al-Kharj province. Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense confirmed that the threat to Riyadh and Al-Kharj had passed after warning alerts were issued.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the coalition reported intercepting and destroying six drones and six missiles launched toward Saudi Arabia’s Eastern and Southern regions, as well as Riyadh and Dhahran. On Thursday, al-Maliki also noted that coalition forces had intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile in the Medina region.

Why it matters

The high number of casualties and the targeting of a major international airport mark a significant escalation in the conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces. The coalition's report of destroying 127 storage facilities indicates a substantial military response, while the conflicting claims from Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree highlight the ongoing information warfare and uncertainty surrounding the precise nature of the attacks. The involvement of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles underscores the continued threat to civilian infrastructure in the region.

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Sources

• chinanews.com.cn (in Chinese): Saudi Arabia says Houthi attack on Riyadh airport kills 17, injures 333
• en.royanews.tv: Roya News | Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport killed 17, injured 333, coalition says

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.