Saudi Arabia "Houthi rebels attacked Riyadh airport 20 times in October... 17 people killed" (comprehensive)

(Cairo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Sang-hoon = The Saudi Arabia-led coalition announced on the 15th (local time) that Yemen's Houthi rebels carried out 20 attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in October, resulting in the loss of 17 lives and 333 injuries.

Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition and Saudi Ministry of Defense, said this at a press conference that day, adding, "Houthi rebels also attempted to attack dozens of airports, oil facilities and ports in Saudi Arabia."

The coalition also added that three people were killed and 28 injured in an attack by Houthi rebels on Abha Airport, located in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen.

Spokesperson al-Malki released a video showing the situation at the time of the attack at King Khalid International Airport and urged, "Houthi rebels must immediately stop their attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, including airports, ports, oil facilities and infrastructure."

Spokesperson Al-Malki also claimed that the Houthi rebels' attack on Saudi Arabia was aided by regional forces.

He added, “The Houthi militia, a terrorist group, has secured cutting-edge technology with the help of regional forces,” adding, “Based on their support, the Houthis possess ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for attack and suicide, and speedboats loaded with explosives.”

However, he did not specify which country or group was supporting the Houthis.

However, Saudi Foreign Ministry officials pointed to Iran as the force behind it.

“Iran continues to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions,” Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimli said in a video briefing with reporters on this day.

Deputy Minister Crimley added, “We believe that the intensification of the Houthi rebels’ offensive in the latest phase of this conflict was instigated by Iran.”

He went on to say that as the armed conflict between the two sides intensified, talks were approached with the Houthi rebels in recent weeks, but the talks were unsuccessful.

Deputy Minister Crimley explained, “When this situation started to intensify, we asked them to meet in Muscat, the capital of Oman, but they refused,” adding, “This proposal from a few weeks ago was the last communication.”