Saudi authority confirms Houthi attack on Dammam airport

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority has confirmed an attack on King Fahd International Airport in the eastern city of Dammam. In a statement issued on Monday (12 October), it said the attack took place on Sunday (11 October) evening.

The authority said it is working with the relevant agencies to determine the extent of the damage and to inspect the safety of the airport's facilities. It did not immediately say whether anyone was hurt or how badly airport operations had been disrupted.

Citing Anadolu Agency, the report says Yemen's Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility. He said the strike hit its target directly and disrupted air traffic. These claims could not be independently verified.

Saree also claimed that Saudi Aramco's Shedgum gas facility and Tanajib oil facility were among the targets. Saudi authorities have not immediately confirmed any attack on those sites. The Houthis say the operations were retaliation for Saudi air strikes on Yemen.

The Dammam attack follows a strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. According to Saudi authorities, 12 people were killed and 309 injured there, including two Bangladeshis among the dead. The Houthis later claimed attacks on the Riyadh and Dammam airports and several other Saudi installations.

Dammam is a key city in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, and King Fahd International Airport is among the kingdom's major airports. It carries domestic and international passengers and plays an important role in the region's transport links.

The attacks on airports have raised fresh concern about the security of Saudi civil aviation. Further details are expected once the damage assessment and safety inspections are complete.