22.10.2026 10:50
Tension escalated in the region after an attack on the international airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in which one person lost their life and eight people were injured. While Iran-backed Houthis were held responsible for the attack, the US administration ordered the evacuation of some of its diplomatic personnel in the country and their families due to increasing security threats.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday that the international airport in the city of Dammam in the east of the country had been attacked.
It was reported that 1 person was killed and 8 people were injured in the attack in the city, which is located near Bahrain and hosts thousands of foreigners working in the oil sector. Saudi authorities claimed that the Iran-backed Houthi group based in Yemen was behind the attack.
URGENT DEPARTURE ORDER FROM THE US
Following the attack, the US State Department requested that non-emergency government employees working in Saudi Arabia and their family members leave the country. It was stated that the decision was taken due to the increase in Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure facilities.
The US administration drew attention to the fact that these attacks caused loss of life and serious disruptions to international travel.
CONCERN THAT THE CONFLICTS WILL SPREAD
A senior official from the US administration warned that the conflicts in the region could extend beyond existing borders. The official indicated that if the attacks continue, tension could spread to a wider area in a short time.
4 UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES DESTROYED
The Saudi Arabian army announced that, in addition to the attack on Dammam Airport, new aerial threats had also been detected in the east of the country. Military officials announced that 4 unmanned aerial vehicles heading toward the region were intercepted and destroyed by air defense systems.
12 PEOPLE DIED IN THE ATTACK IN THE CAPITAL
The attack in Dammam came after a deadly attack in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It had been reported that at least 12 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured in a missile attack on October 10 that targeted the main international airport in Riyadh and was attributed to the Houthis.
The attack in question was considered one of the deadliest attacks in the country in the last 10 years.
THE RED SEA AND OIL ROUTES ARE ALSO UNDER THREAT
The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for the latest attack in Dammam. The Yemen-based group had previously made headlines with actions threatening maritime transport in the Red Sea and attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure.
Security risks, especially around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, are causing concerns for international trade and energy shipments.
The successive targeting of airports in Saudi Arabia and the US decision to withdraw its personnel have increased security concerns in the region.