Regional Powers Supporting Houthis, Says Saudi-Led Coalition Spokesperson Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Leave 19 Dead, 364 Injured, Says Spokesperson

*RIYADH:* Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, has alleged that regional powers are providing the Houthi militia with advanced military technology, including ballistic missiles, attack drones, suicide drones and explosive-laden speedboats. However, he did not name any specific country as a direct provider of support during the press conference.

Speaking at a press conference in Riyadh on October 15, Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the Houthi militia had launched 20 attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh between October 1 and 11, all of which were thwarted. According to him, Houthi attacks on Saudi airports had left a total of 19 people dead and 364 injured.

The coalition spokesperson condemned the attack on King Khalid International Airport on October 10, saying that targeting airports posed a serious threat to the safety of passengers, civilians and pilgrims and violated international law.

According to Major General Turki Al-Maliki, an attack on King Khalid International Airport on October 7 killed one person and injured eight, while an attack on October 8 left three people dead and five injured. The October 10 attack reportedly killed 12 people and injured 309, while an attack on Terminal 3 on October 11 killed one person and injured another.

The spokesperson said an attack on Abha International Airport on October 7 killed two women from Morocco and Algeria and injured 28 people. He added that other Saudi airports, including King Abdullah International Airport in Jazan, Abha International Airport and King Fahd Airport, had also been targeted by the Houthi militia.

Major General Turki Al-Maliki claimed that the Houthi militia had established weapons and military equipment storage facilities in mountainous areas of Yemen’s Sana’a, Saada and Amran provinces. According to him, coalition forces had destroyed 127 storage facilities and were continuing operations to limit the Houthis’ military capabilities.

Regarding the supply of advanced military technology to the Houthis, the coalition spokesperson referred to assistance from regional powers but did not identify any country by name. Saudi officials have accused Iran on other occasions of providing weapons and support to the Houthis; however, Iran was not directly named in this particular press conference.

The Saudi-led coalition spokesperson said Houthi attacks threatened Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, civilians and critical infrastructure. He called on the militia to stop targeting civil aviation facilities and other civilian infrastructure.