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It marked the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia since it and
allied forces in neighboring Yemen launched a major military
offensive last weekend against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in
Yemen.
Thursday's first attack targeted airport facilities, while the
second struck the aircraft, the statement said. It did not
identify those responsible, though the Houthis claimed to have
targeted the airport with a ballistic missile.
Among the dead was Capt. Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, the Saudia Group
said in a statement. It appeared to be the first confirmed
attack on the Saudi national carrier since the new offensive
began. A separate Saudia Group statement said one of its
aircraft was damaged while it was on the ground and with no
passengers on board.
The airport in the Saudi capital has come under multiple attacks
in recent days, with a Sudanese national killed there earlier
this week.
Friday's aviation statement on injuries to citizens and people
of other nationalities "ranged from minor to serious.”
The Saudia Group statement indicated that operational activities
at the airport returned to normal as of 6 p.m. Thursday, hours
after the attack.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it
had destroyed three rocket launch platforms used by the Houthis
to threaten regional security.
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