In brief
Saudi authorities confirmed a deadly strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam that killed a Saudi citizen and an Indian foreign worker, while another intercepted drone caused four more fatalities. The attack, attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement, is part of a broader pattern of drone and missile attacks that have escalated since October. The attacks have strained regional security, prompting increased air defence deployments and diplomatic warnings.
Saudi authorities confirmed on Thursday that an apparent drone or missile attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed two people – a Saudi citizen and an Indian expatriate – and injured eight others.
Officials are still assessing the weapon used; the group behind the strike, Iran‑backed Houthis, said the airport was among several targets hit over the last two days with drones and missiles.
Later that morning, the Saudi energy ministry reported another drone, intercepted near the Shaybah oil field, left four people dead after debris struck an Aramco contractor’s vehicle. Victims included residents of the Philippines and Nepal.
In total, Saudi government data shows 21 people have died in Houthi attacks on domestic airports since early October, following the 10 October strike that killed 13 at Riyadh International Airport.
The Houthis claim retaliation for Saudi air strikes on Yemeni territory and a blockade that they say hampers their supply lines. The conflict erupted in 2014 when the group seized Yemen’s capital and later drew in a Saudi‑led coalition backing the internationally recognised government.
While some foreign diplomats have been ordered to leave Saudi territory amid rising tensions, neighbouring states are bolstering air defenses. Recent deployments of additional fighter jets aim to counter‑measure Houthi drones and missiles heading toward key infrastructure.
