A fresh projectile strike hit a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital on Sunday, killing one Pakistani national and injuring 11 others, according to the kingdom’s civil aviation authority. The attack came a day after a devastating strike on the same airport killed 13 people and injured more than 300, making it one of the deadliest attacks on a Gulf Arab country since the US-Israel war against Iran began in February. The escalating attacks have raised concerns about the security of Saudi Arabia’s airports, oil infrastructure and regional shipping routes, while increasing the possibility of direct US military involvement in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed late on Sunday that the person killed in the latest attack was a Pakistani resident. The 11 injured people were taken to hospital for treatment, while authorities continued assessing the material damage caused by the strike. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen said an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport, triggering a fire. Saudi air defences also intercepted a cruise missile near the airport.   The latest incident was part of a series of attacks on Saudi aviation facilities, with Riyadh’s airport reportedly struck four times within five days.

The airport has remained closed since Saturday’s deadly attack, while authorities have extended precautionary measures. Saudi Civil Defense also issued emergency alerts in Abha, in the kingdom’s south, early Monday, later confirming that the danger had passed.Saturday’s strike on Riyadh airport killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, according to updated reports from Saudi authorities. The attack was the deadliest on a Gulf Arab country since the regional war involving the United States, Israel and Iran began. The victims included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one citizen each from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt. An Indian man later died from injuries sustained in the attack, bringing the reported death toll to 13. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)