IN BRIEF: Three killed, several injured in attack on Riyadh airport

DOHA, October 9. /TASS/. Three people were killed and 36 others suffered injuries of varying severity in two attacks on international airports in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said.

A passenger aircraft operated by Saudi state-owned airline Saudia was damaged in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said.

According to the authority, the airport was targeted twice on October 8.

The first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second targeted a Saudia aircraft, the statement said.

According to the airline, airport operations resumed at 6:00 p.m. local time [3:00 p.m. GMT] on October 8.

The authority added that the two strikes on that day caused material damage, but the airport has since returned to normal operations.

Reuters reported, citing sources, that the aircraft was seriously damaged and caught fire while parked near the terminal after being struck by a projectile or shrapnel.

The Arab coalition said it had intercepted three missiles launched toward the kingdom’s capital and Khamis Mushait.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense Directorate also reported that debris had damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex in Riyadh.

A pilot for the Saudi state-owned airline Saudia was killed in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Al Ekhbariya TV channel reported, citing the airline’s statement.

The airline confirmed that one of its aircraft was damaged while parked on the tarmac during the October 8 attack.

At least three Saudi nationals were killed in the airport strikes, the kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said.

Saudi nationals and foreign citizens also suffered injuries of varying severity.

All those injured were transported to hospitals for medical treatment.