Summary The Dammam development raised further concerns over the threat to Saudi Arabia’s civilian aviation network as the conflict that began with the Iran war on Feb. 28 continued to spill across the region.
RIYADH (Web Desk) - Countries and international organisations have condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s airports, including Saturday’s strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed 12 people and injured 309 others, according to Saudi authorities.
The condemnations, carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), came as the Iran-backed Yemeni militia continued its attacks on the Kingdom’s civilian aviation infrastructure, prompting calls for international action to protect civilians and prevent further escalation.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said early Sunday that the dead included four Saudi citizens and nationals of Bangladesh, Palestine, the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. The 309 injured included people in critical condition.
Hours after Saturday’s attack, Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, announced that a projectile had fallen near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. He provided no further details about the incident.
The Dammam development raised further concerns over the threat to Saudi Arabia’s civilian aviation network as the conflict that began with the Iran war on Feb. 28 continued to spill across the region.
Bahrain strongly condemned the latest attack on Riyadh’s airport, describing it as a dangerous escalation following another strike on the same facility two days earlier.
In a statement carried by SPA, Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said the attacks violated international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. It warned that they threatened regional stability, civil aviation security, and the safety of passengers and flight crews.
Qatar condemned the attacks on King Khalid International Airport as a serious violation of Saudi sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security, civilians and aviation safety.
Jordan also condemned the strike as a blatant violation of Saudi sovereignty and a dangerous escalation threatening the Kingdom’s security and stability.
Cyprus condemned the attacks on King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport, saying they targeted civilians and critical infrastructure. It expressed solidarity with the Kingdom and condolences to the victims’ families.
Egypt also condemned the attacks on Riyadh’s airport and a Saudia aircraft, describing them as a flagrant violation of international law. Its Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and offered condolences over the deaths of three Saudi citizens in the attacks it addressed.
Oman conveyed its condemnation during a telephone call between Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Abha International Airport, King Khalid International Airport and a civilian aircraft.
The Council of Arab Interior Ministers’ General Secretariat also denounced Saturday’s attack, describing repeated Houthi strikes on aviation facilities and civilians as violations of international law that threatened regional security and stability.
Somalia condemned the attacks on the airports in Abha and Riyadh as grave violations of international law and threats to Saudi sovereignty and regional security. Uruguay likewise expressed solidarity with the Kingdom while voicing concern over threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
