Riyadh airport hit again a day after deadliest attack on Saudi soil in a decade
At least 12 people were killed and more than 300 injured when King Khalid International Airport was struck on Saturday. An Indian national injured in the attack later died, according to India's embassy.
Saudi Arabia's capital came under renewed attack on Sunday when a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was struck again, a day after a strike on the same airport left at least 12 people dead and 309 injured.
Saturday's attack was the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than ten years. According to a Saudi statement, those killed included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis and one person each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. Egyptian state media identified one of the victims as a 28-year-old flight attendant with the Saudi carrier Flynas.
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India's embassy in Riyadh said an Indian national who was wounded in the attack later died of his injuries.
Terminals hit again on Sunday
On Sunday, the domestic terminals 3 and 4 were hit, and Saudi authorities reported further injuries. The airport, which has no military facilities, has been closed since Saturday and has now been targeted four times in five days. Schools in Riyadh moved classes online and flights were diverted to other airports.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for several operations against the airport, as well as strikes on energy facilities and on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. A Houthi military spokesman described the attacks as a response to what the group calls Saudi aggression, following a large Saudi-led coalition offensive in Yemen launched the previous week. The group warned travellers to avoid Saudi airports, while saying it would not target the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
International condemnation
India condemned the attack and called for the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure. The United Nations, the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom also condemned the strikes. The US, UK, Germany, Australia and Canada advised their citizens to stay away from the airport.
US President Donald Trump condemned the attack and said Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis, a step that would further widen a regional conflict already linked to the US-Iran war.
What it means for Indian travellers
Saudi Arabia is home to one of the largest Indian communities abroad, and Riyadh is a major hub for flights to and from Indian cities. Passengers with travel plans through Riyadh are advised to check with their airline and follow advisories from the Indian embassy before travelling.
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