Saudi Arabia has reopened Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after Houthi attacks on Thursday killed three people and injured several, damaging airport facilities and a state carrier aircraft. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the reopening on Friday, stating that air traffic has returned to normal.

The attacks are part of a recent escalation by the Houthis, who have increasingly targeted Saudi airports. The strikes on Thursday caused injuries ranging from minor to severe, alongside material damage, according to GACA. Saudia Airlines confirmed that one of its pilots, Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, was killed in the incident.

Earlier in the week, similar Houthi attacks on Abha and King Khalid airports resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injured 36. Additional attacks on Jazan and Najran airports near the Yemen border also led to injuries.

A Houthi military spokesperson claimed responsibility for the Riyadh airport strike, stating that a ballistic missile was launched and successfully hit its intended target, disrupting air traffic. This aligns with a pattern of recent Houthi warnings to aviation companies to avoid Saudi airspace, designating most areas as potential targets.

This renewed focus on airport attacks appears to coincide with an ongoing counteroffensive by Yemeni forces against the Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition has previously intercepted missiles targeting King Khalid airport, including an incident on September 18, followed by explosions near the airport the next day.

The Houthis, often described as Iran-aligned, have demonstrated a capability to launch sophisticated attacks, including ballistic missiles, aimed at disrupting Saudi infrastructure and deterring international operations within the kingdom.

Airport operations at King Khalid International Airport have resumed, with GACA assuring the public that safety measures are in place. The full extent of the damage and the long-term implications for regional security remain under observation.

Further details regarding the specific types of missiles used and the precise damage to the airport infrastructure have not been fully disclosed by Saudi authorities, leaving some questions about the immediate aftermath and future preventative measures.