UAE Leaders Offer Condolences to Saudi King After Houthi Strikes on Riyadh Airport

Condolences from UAE Leaders

UAE leaders have expressed their sympathy to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. President Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his sincere sympathy for the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent similar messages of condolence to the Saudi monarch.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, also extended his condolences to King Salman.

Details of the Airport Attacks

King Khalid International Airport has remained closed since an attack on Saturday that killed 13 people and injured more than 300, described as the deadliest incident on the kingdom in over ten years.

A subsequent strike on Sunday resulted in one fatality and nearly a dozen injuries.

In the past week, Houthi rebels have targeted other Saudi airports, striking facilities in Abha, Jazan and Najran, while a projectile also caused damage to the airport serving Dammam.

Impact on Regional Air Travel

The disruption has affected air travel across the region, including flights originating from the UAE.

Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have cancelled a number of flights to Saudi destinations, and Etihad Airways has suspended services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until October 18.