DUBAI: Most Gulf stock markets ended lower on Sunday, as geopolitical concerns weighed on sentiment after an attack on Riyadh’s international airport left at least 12 dead and more than 300 wounded, marking the kingdom’s deadliest attack in over a decade.
Adding to the uncertainty, Yemen’s Houthis on Sunday warned airlines, travellers and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index narrowed early losses to finish 0.2 percent lower with the country’s biggest lender by assets Saudi National Bank losing 1.1 percent. Oil major Saudi Aramco was down 0.2 percent.
President Donald Trump has said Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis, widening a regional conflict that spilled over from the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Riyadh and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government have claimed hundreds of strikes against targets in Houthi-held territory in Yemen. The Houthis have said these killed civilians including women and children. Reuters could not independently verify those claims.