Yemeni Houthi forces launched a missile attack on Riyadh International Airport, a well-informed diplomatic source told AFP, after eyewitnesses had previously reported an explosion and the evacuation of the airport.
“The Houthis are attacking non-military targets. Riyadh Airport is a non-military target,” the diplomatic source said, clarifying that a missile struck the airport “around 3:00 p.m.”.
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Footage from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh shows a plume of smoke rising from Terminal 3 following a Houthi ballistic missile attack.
Fire sirens continue to sound inside the airport, where the smoke is coming from. pic.twitter.com/AEZCxUza2x
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International media reported that at least five people were critically injured in the attack. “Dozens of people were injured, most of whom are Saudi nationals. At least five of the injured—all Saudi nationals—are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit,” the source told Agence France-Presse (AFP), adding that some patients were transported by helicopter.
Earlier, eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion at the Riyadh airport, with the Saudi government’s media office, as well as the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority, failing to immediately respond to requests for comment.
The airport, King Khaled International Airport, had even urged passengers to contact their airlines directly to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
Meanwhile, the airlines Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways canceled numerous flights between major destinations and Riyadh, with some cancellations extending through Monday.
Today’s explosion followed attacks earlier this week on the airport in Riyadh, which resulted in the deaths of four people, several others injured, and a Saudia aircraft destroyed, while a plume of smoke rose above the airport.
SEE ALSO: Loud explosion heard at Riyadh airport; major airlines cancel flights | AlphaNews
