The Saudi-led Coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen has published CCTV recordings that capture explosions at three Saudi airports allegedly targeted by Houthi strikes, highlighting the growing conflict between Riyadh and the armed faction.
According to UAE Media outlet, Viory, the footage, presented at a press conference in Riyadh on Thursday, captured explosions at Abha, Najran and Jazan airports, showing passengers fleeing terminals, smoke filling buildings and debris falling from ceilings.
One clip, dated October 7, showed an explosion at the passenger terminal of Abha International Airport, sending shrapnel flying as smoke spread through the building and terrified passengers scrambled for safety.
Another recording from Najran Airport, dated October 6, showed debris falling from the ceiling and smoke rising inside the terminal, while footage from King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan captured an explosion scattering sparks across the ground on October 5.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the attack on Abha International Airport killed two residents, a Moroccan and an Algerian, while dozens of others, including Saudi citizens and Bangladeshi and Filipino residents, sustained injuries.
The agency also reported “three minor injuries” and material damage following “two attacks” targeting the airports in Jazan and Najran.
In a separate incident, an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reportedly killed 12 people and injured more than 300, forcing the suspension of airport operations.
The latest developments followed a warning on Wednesday by Yahya Saree, military spokesperson for the Ansar Allah movement, commonly known as the Houthis, that attacks deep inside Saudi Arabia would continue in the coming days.
Saree threatened further strikes on airports and oil facilities across the Kingdom, urging international shipping companies, residents and workers to stay away from potential targets.
The attacks represent a further escalation in the conflict between Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government, and the Houthi movement.
The latest wave of hostilities began after a July 13 strike on Sanaa International Airport. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack, while Yemen’s internationally recognised government claimed responsibility.
What You Should Know
The release of CCTV footage by the Saudi-led coalition marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement, bringing visual evidence of airport bombings into the public eye.
- Potential Concerns: The ongoing attacks and threats against vital transport hubs and oil facilities threaten regional stability, disrupt international travel, and pose serious safety risks to civilians and expatriate workers in the Kingdom.
- Broader Implications: Continued hostilities could lead to stricter travel suspensions, heightened security measures across Middle Eastern airports, and potential disruptions in global shipping and energy markets.
