Global condemnation was swift and emphatic yesterday following the Houthi attacks targeting King Khalid Airport in the Saudi capital, as nations reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity and support for Riyadh.
Leaders called for serious international action and decisive measures to deter the Houthis and prevent further attacks on airports and civilians, saying such acts of cowardice violated humanitarian principles and international conventions.
Saudia pilot Captain Hamoud Ali AlKalthami and two others died while a number of people were also injured during the attacks, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority confirmed yesterday.
The first attack, officials said, targeted the airport’s facilities, while the second aimed at an aircraft belonging to Saudi carrier Saudia.
Bahrain denounced the heinous attacks as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations, as well as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability and the safety of civil aviation.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its unwavering support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
It also affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defence. The ministry expressed Bahrain’s sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families and relatives of the deceased, wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated Bahrain’s call on the UN Security Council to take firm action to halt repeated Houthi terrorist attacks on civilian targets, facilities and airports, hold those responsible accountable and ensure the full implementation of relevant resolutions to protect civilians and safeguard regional and international peace and security.
GCC chief Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi expressed his ‘grave denunciation and unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attack.’
“The Houthi militia’s deliberate targeting of civilian airports and civilians demands serious international action and decisive measures to ensure deterrence and prevent the recurrence of such attacks, which flagrantly violate the most fundamental humanitarian principles and international covenants,” he said in a statement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a social media post, reiterated the bloc’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region and emphasised that attacks on civilian infrastructure were unacceptable.
“Houthis have once again struck Riyadh’s airport, taking three innocent lives. My thoughts are with the families of the victims,” she said.
“We stand in full solidarity with the people of Saudi Arabia and all our Gulf partners. Attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable, Iran’s proxies must stop their reckless and violent acts,” von der Leyen posted on X.
Kuwait and Jordan also rapped the ‘cowardly’ attacks by the Houthi militia, calling for an immediate cessation of such hostile acts.
A Saudi-led coalition backing government forces in Yemen said it had destroyed three missile launch platforms used by the Houthis and warned it would respond firmly to attacks on civilians.
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