Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Kill Three at Airport, Injure Eight as US Orders Embassy Staff to Leave

Riyadh, Washington, D.C. (Terror Monitor) — Three people were killed and eight others injured in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday evening, the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority said on Thursday morning, as attacks attributed to Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensify across the kingdom.

The authority said the attack also caused property damage at the airport. Officials are assessing the nature and extent of the damage, according to the statement.

The incident comes amid a renewed escalation in the conflict in Yemen and an increase in attacks targeting neighboring Saudi Arabia. Airports, oil facilities and other critical infrastructure have been among the reported targets, with several incidents resulting in casualties and disruptions to civilian operations.

Drone Intercepted Near Aramco’s Shaybah Oil Field

Separately, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said on Wednesday that a drone targeting a processing facility at the Shaybah oil field operated by state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco had been successfully intercepted.

However, debris from the intercepted drone caused two fatalities and injured two other people, the ministry said in a statement posted on X.

According to the ministry, the two people killed were nationals of the Philippines and Nepal. The injured included one Pakistani and one Indian national.

The ministry also reported that debris from the incident caused a fire in a contractor’s vehicle located outside the oil field’s facility perimeter.

Despite the incident, the ministry said operations at the oil field were not affected.

The incident highlights the continuing risks to Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure and the foreign workers employed at its oil facilities, even when incoming drones are intercepted before reaching their intended targets.

US Orders Non-Emergency Embassy Staff to Leave Saudi Arabia

The US State Department said on Wednesday that it had ordered non-emergency personnel at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, along with their family members, to leave the kingdom amid continued deadly attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott explained the decision in a social media post, citing an escalation in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting civilian airports and other critical infrastructure.

“Iran-backed Houthis have escalated aggressive actions against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and significant travel disruptions,” Pigott said.

He added that the safety and security of US personnel and their families remained the department’s top priority.

The departure order comes as the security situation across parts of the Middle East remains volatile, with attacks on transportation hubs and energy facilities raising concerns about the safety of civilians, foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel.

An unnamed diplomatic source in the Middle East told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that some family members of US embassy personnel were also being withdrawn from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain.

However, Pigott emphasized that Wednesday’s order specifically covered non-emergency personnel and their families in Saudi Arabia.

Limited Flights Resume at Saudi Airport

Meanwhile, a limited number of flights resumed operations at Saudi Arabia’s main airport on Wednesday, following restrictions imposed amid the deteriorating security situation.

Authorities had informed airlines two days earlier that they could resume flights after obtaining prior authorization.

According to data published by flight-tracking website FlightAware, Saudi carriers Saudia and flynas operated flights on Wednesday.

However, major international airlines, including Lufthansa and Air France, had canceled their flights until mid-November.

The disruptions have added to the pressure on regional air travel, with airlines reassessing their operations amid security concerns and uncertainty over the potential for further attacks.

Riyadh Airport Previously Targeted

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targeted Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport multiple times this month, according to reports on the attacks.

The airport was closed on October 10 following the reported incidents, disrupting air travel and raising concerns about the vulnerability of civilian aviation infrastructure.

The latest developments in Dammam and at the Shaybah oil field underscore the potential consequences of the widening regional conflict for Saudi Arabia’s airports, energy installations and civilian population.

With Washington ordering the departure of non-emergency embassy personnel and their families, and international airlines maintaining flight cancellations, concerns remain over further disruptions to travel and the safety of critical infrastructure across the kingdom.

Terror Monitor will continue to follow developments as Saudi authorities assess the damage from the latest incidents and regional security conditions evolve.