On 8/10, OSINT Warfare, an X account specializing in open-source intelligence, published photos of a passenger plane almost completely burnt out, surrounded by firefighting vehicles. "A Saudia national airline Airbus A310-200 was destroyed at King Khalid International Airport in the capital Riyadh, following a Houthi missile attack", the account stated.
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Image believed to be a Saudia Airlines aircraft destroyed. Photo: X/OSINTWarfare |
Two AFP sources indicated the Saudia aircraft was hit while parked at terminal 4, sustaining fuselage damage with cracks and holes. Terminal 4 is currently used by Saudia and Riyadh Air for domestic flights. One source noted that the Houthi attack "hit three aircraft".
Sources familiar with the situation told Reuters it was unclear whether the aircraft was directly struck by a missile or hit by debris after Saudi air defenses intercepted the target. The aircraft appeared to be empty of passengers at the time of the incident, but authorities could not rule out casualties.
A video posted earlier on social media and verified by Reuters showed large flames and a column of black smoke rising from the aircraft parking area at King Khalid Airport.
Saudi officials and Saudia airline have not yet commented on the incident.
The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalated again on 8/10, when the Yemeni armed group claimed to have launched ballistic missiles targeting King Khalid Airport in Riyadh. The Saudi-led international coalition announced it had intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh.
Yahya Saree, a Houthi spokesperson, warned all global airlines that same day about the consequences of continuing flights through Saudi airspace, emphasizing that the area had become "a battlefield". However, he noted that the warning did not apply to the airspace over the holy sites of Mecca and Medina.
Houthi officials also urged employees at Saudi oil facilities to evacuate for safety.
Data from FlightRadar24 showed that many flights to and from King Khalid International Airport were delayed. Airport authorities advised passengers to contact airlines to check flight status.
German airline Lufthansa and Indian airlines IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa announced the temporary suspension of flights to Riyadh.
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Location of Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. Graphic: Guardian |
The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces re-escalated in july. The armed group also declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and targeted its ships in the Red Sea.
Houthi forces stated that maritime activity through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remained smooth and free, except for Saudi ships. Data from maritime tracking company Kpler showed a significant decrease in Saudi exports through Bab el-Mandeb since july.
Nhu Tam
(According to AFP and Reuters)
