Dammam Airport Returns to Normal Operations Following Attack That Killed a Saudi Citizen and an Indian Resident

A Saudi citizen and an Indian resident were killed, and eight people were injured in an attack targeting King Fahd International Airport in the eastern Saudi city of Dammam on Wednesday evening, October 21, according to an announcement by the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation reported by Xinhua News Agency.

In a statement on the "X" platform, the Authority stated that the eight injured individuals are receiving treatment in several hospitals and that airport operations have returned to normal, while coordinating with security agencies to assess damages and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and workers. The statement did not mention the number of canceled or delayed flights, nor did it specify the nationalities of the injured.

The agency noted that the attack occurred at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing an escalation in missile and drone attacks attributed to the Yemeni Houthi group, targeting civilian facilities. No entity has separately claimed responsibility for the attack in the available information.

The Authority announced that airport operations have returned to normal and that it continues to coordinate with security authorities to ensure the safety of passengers and staff, at a time when no official figures have been released regarding the extent of affected flights.

What do these terms mean?

Drones (UAVs): Small or medium-sized aircraft controlled remotely or operating autonomously, used in military and civilian missions, and capable of carrying explosives in attacks.

General Authority of Civil Aviation: The government agency responsible for regulating the civil aviation sector and airports in Saudi Arabia and supervising air traffic safety.

Airport Operations: Includes flight takeoffs, landings, and passenger and baggage processing; their return to normal means the resumption of standard operations after a temporary disruption.