Civil Aviation: Three Citizens Martyred in Two Attacks Targeting King Khalid Airport and a Saudi Airlines Plane; Air Traffic Returns to Normal

The General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was subjected to two attacks on Thursday, October 8, 2026; the first targeted airport facilities, while the second targeted a Saudi Airlines plane.

In a statement on Friday, the authority said the attacks resulted in the martyrdom of three Saudi citizens and injuries to several citizens and residents of various nationalities, with injuries ranging from minor to severe. They were immediately transferred to the hospital for medical care, along with some material damages.

It explained that emergency teams and relevant authorities immediately responded to the attacks according to approved procedures and plans, confirming the resumption of operational activities at the airport and the return of air traffic to normal.

The authority affirmed the continued work, in coordination with security agencies, to assess the damages and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of travelers and workers, and to maintain the security and safety of the civil aviation system in the Kingdom.

Third Attack on Airports in a Week

This is the third statement by the authority within a week about attacks on the Kingdom's airports. On Wednesday, it announced that Abha and King Khalid airports were attacked on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in the death of three residents from Morocco, Algeria, and Sudan, and injuring 36 people. Prior to that, attacks on Jazan and Najran airports on Monday evening left three minor injuries.

This brings the total number of deaths from airport attacks this week to six: three citizens and three residents.

Coalition Response and UN Condemnation

The official spokesperson for the Coalition Forces, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, confirmed on Wednesday evening that the terrorist Houthi militia's attacks on civilians and civilian objects in the Kingdom "will not go unpunished," announcing a comprehensive attack that destroyed 82 military targets of the militia in Saada, Hodeidah, Al-Jawf, and Marib, including 11 ballistic missile warehouses.

On Thursday, the coalition announced the interception and destruction of two ballistic missiles launched by the militia towards Riyadh and a missile towards Khamis Mushait, and the destruction of a launch platform used in the attack on Riyadh.

The United Nations strongly condemned the continued attacks on the Kingdom, with its spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stating on Thursday that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is prohibited under international humanitarian law.