Pakistan Denounces Houthi Riyadh Airport Attack That Killed 12
(MENAFN) Pakistan on Sunday “strongly” condemned a Houthi attack on the main airport in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, that killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300.
“Attacks targeting civilians and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable and constitute a serious threat to regional peace and stability,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement on X.
Sharif demanded that “such acts of violence, which are a flagrant violation of international law, must cease immediately.”
He said Pakistan stands in “unwavering solidarity” with Saudi Arabia, “its leadership and brotherly people,” and reaffirmed Islamabad’s “steadfast commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security” under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement and the “enduring” bonds between the two countries.
Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also weighed in, calling the strike a “dangerous escalation that only adds to the suffering of civilians in the region and risks widening an already grave regional crisis.” He urged all parties to show restraint and pursue dialogue and diplomacy toward a “fair resolution of the crisis, and prevent further escalation and loss of precious human lives.”
According to the Saudi civil aviation authority, Saturday’s attack killed four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one person each from the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. The wounded are receiving hospital treatment, and some are in critical condition.
The authority said earlier that it temporarily suspended airport operations while officials assessed the damage and verified the safety of the facilities. The shutdown disrupted flights, and passengers were advised to check with their airlines before traveling to the airport. Kuwait Airways canceled its Saturday flights to and from Riyadh, citing the closure.
The strike came amid rising tensions after several days of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and facilities.
“Attacks targeting civilians and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable and constitute a serious threat to regional peace and stability,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement on X.
Sharif demanded that “such acts of violence, which are a flagrant violation of international law, must cease immediately.”
He said Pakistan stands in “unwavering solidarity” with Saudi Arabia, “its leadership and brotherly people,” and reaffirmed Islamabad’s “steadfast commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security” under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement and the “enduring” bonds between the two countries.
Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also weighed in, calling the strike a “dangerous escalation that only adds to the suffering of civilians in the region and risks widening an already grave regional crisis.” He urged all parties to show restraint and pursue dialogue and diplomacy toward a “fair resolution of the crisis, and prevent further escalation and loss of precious human lives.”
According to the Saudi civil aviation authority, Saturday’s attack killed four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one person each from the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. The wounded are receiving hospital treatment, and some are in critical condition.
The authority said earlier that it temporarily suspended airport operations while officials assessed the damage and verified the safety of the facilities. The shutdown disrupted flights, and passengers were advised to check with their airlines before traveling to the airport. Kuwait Airways canceled its Saturday flights to and from Riyadh, citing the closure.
The strike came amid rising tensions after several days of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and facilities.
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