A Houthi missile attack on Riyadh's international airport in Saudi Arabia has killed at least 13 people, injured 300, and severely disrupted the travel of hundreds of pilgrims headed for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
According to a report by Reuters, the attack occurred on Saturday when a missile struck the departure lounge of the airport. Images from the scene showed that a large number of the travelers were wearing the white Ihram garments worn by pilgrims, indicating they were on their way to perform Umrah.
The news agency, citing Saudi Arabian media, reported that a Bangladeshi imam who was leading a group of dozens of pilgrims was among those killed in the attack. Several other members of his group were also injured.
The unexpected aerial assault has forced many pilgrims to change their travel plans and has left them experiencing fear and uncertainty. Many did not expect to be caught in the middle of an air war while embarking on a religious journey.
The Houthi movement in Yemen, which is backed by Iran, has frequently targeted civilian and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia with drone and missile strikes in recent years. This is part of the oader conflict in the region.
A Saudi-led coalition has been at war with the Houthis in Yemen since 2015, a conflict that has led to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The latest attack on the Riyadh airport underscores the persistent threat the Houthis pose to regional security.
This incident comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen. Such attacks risk undermining these peace talks and further escalating tensions across the Middle East, raising serious concerns about the safety of civilian travelers and pilgrims.
Source: Reuters
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