Houthi Drone Attack on Dammam Airport Kills 2, Coalition Intercepts 9 UAVs Over Saudi Cities
HEADLINE: Houthi Drone Attack on Dammam Airport Kills 2, Coalition Intercepts 9 UAVs Over Saudi Cities
SUB-HEADLINE: France, UK Pledge Full Military Support to Riyadh; Crown Prince Says No Compromise on National Security
NEWS STORY:
RIYADH / DAMMAM — The death toll from the drone attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam has risen to two, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed on Wednesday.
One Saudi national and one Indian resident were killed and eight others injured when an explosive drone struck the airport on Tuesday evening. Flight operations have now resumed.
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki said the Houthi militia in Yemen launched nine explosive-laden UAVs toward Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, all of which were intercepted and destroyed before reaching their targets.
The attacks triggered swift international support. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pledging French military support against Houthi aggression.
The United Kingdom also announced deployment of Typhoon fighter jets to help defend Saudi cities and critical infrastructure. London clarified the jets will be used purely for defensive purposes.
SHORT BACKGROUND:
The latest escalation is part of a week-long surge in cross-border attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis targeting Saudi airports, oil facilities and civilian areas.
In his annual address to the Shura Council, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said: “We are making every possible effort to reduce escalation and support diplomatic solutions, without the slightest compromise when it comes to safeguarding our security. We will not hesitate to respond firmly to any threat.”
Former Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia’s historic policy of restraint is “no longer operable” in the face of growing threats from Iran and its proxies.
The UN Security Council, Iraq, UAE and the Council of Arab Interior Ministers have all condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia.
