Attacks on Riyadh international airport kill 3 Saudi citizens
Three Saudi citizens died Thursday in strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Officials said the incident caused multiple serious injuries and prompted international flight suspensions.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation stated that the strikes hit the airport and a Saudia Airlines aircraft. The agency said medical teams transferred several injured victims to a local hospital.
Officials did not identify those responsible for the Thursday incident. The authority did not specify the types of weapons used in the strikes. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed they targeted the Riyadh site with a ballistic missile.
Aviation officials said they are coordinating with security agencies to assess damage. The authority is taking measures to ensure the safety of passengers and workers. Safety remains a priority.
Former U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. Pillay is an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice. She previously chaired the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.
The commission concluded Israel was responsible for genocide in Gaza. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the panel findings. Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the award in a statement on X.
“If there were an award for lies, hatred, and blood libels, Navi Pillay wouldn’t just be a contender. She’d be a frontrunner.”
Pakistan International Airlines suspended flights to Riyadh due to the evolving regional situation. Spokesman Abdullah Hafeez told The Associated Press that the carrier apologized for the disruption. Hafeez said the airline will provide an update following an assessment. Flights stopped immediately.
Civil aviation authorities regulate airport operations and oversee emergency response protocols. Security agencies assess structural damage and secure facilities following transportation incidents. Airlines evaluate regional safety conditions before resuming commercial flight operations.
The authority continues working with local emergency teams at the scene. Officials will provide updates following further reviews.
