A Moroccan national residing in Saudi Arabia was killed in a Houthi attack on Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation. The second victim was an Algerian national. The attack also left 28 people injured, including Saudi citizens and foreign residents from Bangladesh and the Philippines, with injuries ranging from minor to severe.
The Saudi authorities have not released further information on the identity of the Moroccan victim. The attack on Abha airport was part of a series of simultaneous attacks on Saudi airports. Another attack targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing a Sudanese resident and injuring eight others, including five Saudi citizens, two Egyptian residents, and one Pakistani resident.
The attacks caused material damage to several installations at the airports. The Saudi authorities reported that they had destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform used in the attack on the capital's airport. The Houthi movement claimed to have fired missiles and drones at the two platforms and warned airlines that Saudi airspace was not safe.
The conflict in Yemen has intensified since July, after several months of relative calm. The Houthi movement has controlled the entire Yemeni Red Sea coast, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, since September. The Moroccan community in Saudi Arabia numbers tens of thousands, mostly employed in services, healthcare, and education.
So far, there has been no official reaction from Morocco to the attack. The Moroccan government has not made a statement on the killing of its national in the Saudi airport attack. The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in Saudi Arabia and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
The Houthi movement's attacks on Saudi airports have increased tensions between the two countries. Saudi Arabia has been involved in the conflict in Yemen since 2015, leading a coalition of Arab states in support of the Yemeni government. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering and infrastructure damage in Yemen.
The incident highlights the risks faced by foreign nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia. The country's strategic location and role in regional conflicts make it a potential target for attacks. The Moroccan government is likely to face pressure to respond to the killing of its national and to ensure the safety of its citizens in Saudi Arabia.
Key points
- A Moroccan national was killed in a Houthi attack on Abha airport in Saudi Arabia.
- The attack also killed an Algerian national and injured 28 people, including Saudi citizens and foreign residents.
- The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in Saudi Arabia and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
