Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Sunday renewed their warning against using Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, hours after the airport announced it will designate two terminals for flights following a suspension earlier this month, Reuters reported.
Source: Reuters (via SRN News)
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the airport remained a "military target" and that operations targeting the airport will continue, warning all airlines, airport staffers and travellers against using it, according to Reuters. The warning is the Houthis' own statement; Saudi authorities have not confirmed any new hit on the airport in the latest reports.
Source: Reuters (via SRN News)
Late on Saturday, King Khalid Airport said Terminal 1 would be designated for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights operated by national carriers starting Sunday, Reuters and ANI reported. Operations at the airport were halted on October 10 following an attack claimed by the Houthis that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 others — the deadliest in the kingdom in more than a decade, Reuters said — and the suspension was extended two days later.
Source: ANI (via Desi Talk Chicago)
The Houthis have been firing ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi airports, ports and oil installations, turning Saudi Arabia into a pressure point in the wider war, Reuters reported. Saudi Arabia has recently stepped up its military involvement in Yemen, launching strikes against the Houthis and backing a government counteroffensive after the Houthis seized strategic territory along the Red Sea coast last month, according to Reuters.
Source: Reuters (via SRN News)
For Indian and Punjabi travellers and workers in the Gulf, the renewed warning matters because Riyadh is a major gateway to the kingdom. ANI reported that Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam through November 7 and services to Jeddah through October 31, offering affected passengers rebooking or refunds. Travellers should check their airline's current advisory before heading to the airport rather than relying on the terminal announcement alone.
Source: ANI (via Desi Talk Chicago)