India strongly condemned repeated strikes by the Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabian airports and civilian infrastructure. In a statement on Sunday (October 11), the Ministry of External Affairs called the attacks “unacceptable” and said the repeated attacks on civilians and civilian targets must cease immediately.
“We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the dastardly attack on October 10, which have led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property,” the ministry said.
“We express our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish speedy recovery to the injured persons,” it added in its statement.
The Ministry of External Affairs said India stands in solidarity with the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia “in defence of their sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy returns to the region at the earliest.”
The ministry’s remarks came as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the Houthis’ strikes in Saudi Arabia.
“Attacks targeting civilians and vital infrastructure are utterly unacceptable and pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability,” Sharif posted on X, describing the attack as “heinous” and reaffirming Pakistan’s “steadfast commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity”.
12 killed and over 300 hurt in latest attack on Riyadh airport
As many as 12 people were killed and over 300 others were injured in the latest attack on the international airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh, civil aviation authorities was quoted by the Associated Press as saying early Sunday.
A Saudi-led coalition blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. A missile struck a King Khalid International Airport complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights, a source claimed.
It was the deadliest attack in any Gulf Arab country since the start of the Iran war, whose fronts have expanded to include the recent surge in fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.
The Saudi statement said the dead included four Saudi citizens as well as two Bangladeshi nationals, a Palestinian, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian and a Sudanese. It said the injured were being treated at several hospitals.
Saudi civil aviation authorities on Saturday said airport operations were suspended. The closure was later extended by 24 hours until 9 pm Sunday, according to the flight tracking platform Flightradar 24.
