A missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, October 10, claimed the lives of at least 12 people and injured 309 others. This attack has been attributed to Houthi militants from Yemen, and an American citizen is among the victims of this incident.
Details of the Attack and Casualties
According to reports, among the dead are four Saudi citizens and eight foreign nationals, including one American, two Bangladeshis, one Palestinian, and one person from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Sudan. The condition of some of the injured is reported to be critical, and the attack has severely damaged the airport's infrastructure.
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The Saudi government has confirmed the occurrence of this attack but has not officially held the Houthis responsible for it. Flight activities at Riyadh Airport have been suspended until further notice, and the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia has advised American citizens to stay away from the airport and its surrounding areas.
International Reactions and Support for Saudi Arabia
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, called this attack "unacceptable" and emphasized that the United States stands with Saudi Arabia. He also announced that he would speak with Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, following this attack. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, also strongly condemned these attacks and called for their immediate cessation.
This attack comes as the Houthis, supported by Iran, have been engaged in a war with Saudi Arabia for years. Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition that supports the legitimate Yemeni government in its fight against this group.
Missile attacks on Riyadh Airport have occurred before. Just a few days prior to this attack, the airport was targeted, resulting in three deaths and damage to an aircraft. In this context, the Houthis continue their attacks vigorously, raising significant concerns internationally.
Security and Military Implications
Following this attack, the regional council of Ma'ale Adumim in Israel announced that security measures have been implemented in several settlements and residential areas, and the possibility of ground or air incursions in the north of the country is being examined. The Israeli army has also reported the identification of an unidentified flying object near the border with Lebanon and is investigating this matter.
In this situation, the United States has also warned the Islamic Republic of Iran by announcing measures regarding maritime security. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the destruction of a commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman and emphasized that several commercial ships have been disabled over the past three months.
These attacks and tensions in the region highlight the complex and dangerous dimensions of the situation in the Middle East and require special attention from the international community.
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