Riyadh, 12 October (H.S.): A fresh attack claimed by Yemen's Houthi group struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Sunday, killing a Pakistani resident and injuring 11 others, according to Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority. The incident came a day after another deadly attack forced authorities to suspend airport operations.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for multiple attacks over the preceding 24 hours, including the strike on the airport, and threatened further attacks on Saudi Arabia's transport hubs. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the group said a projectile struck the airport and triggered a fire. Air defences also intercepted a missile in the vicinity, the coalition said.

The civil aviation authority said the latest attack caused property damage, the extent of which was being assessed. Airport closure was extended by 24 hours until 2100 GMT on Monday, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24. Reports of explosions were also received from other parts of Riyadh.

Saudi authorities reported a separate attack targeting Dammam airport in the east, while the Saudi-led coalition said it had shot down a drone in the region. Early on Monday, the coalition also reported intercepting and destroying a Houthi ballistic missile headed towards Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia, where a major military base is located.

The latest strike follows a deadly attack on Saturday that killed 12 people, including four Saudi citizens and nationals of Bangladesh, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan, according to the civil aviation authority. A further 309 people were injured. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia also reported that an Indian national died on Sunday after being wounded in the previous day's attack.

The attacks have raised concern over the security of commercial aviation and shipping in the region. The anti-Houthi coalition condemned Saturday's strike as a full-fledged war crime and vowed to respond. The United Nations and several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also condemned the attack.

The Houthis have also claimed attacks on Saudi oil facilities and tankers in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has supported Yemen's internationally recognised government militarily since 2015 in its conflict with the Houthis. The latest escalation comes as Saudi Arabia prepares for its high-profile convention and entertainment season, while October also marks the beginning of the busy travel period for Umrah pilgrims.

In Yemen, military sources said Saudi-backed government forces were advancing in a counter-offensive against the Houthis near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key international shipping route. The Houthis said they had repelled the advance. Claims from both sides could not be independently verified.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar