Riyadh airport attack: Pakistan condemns Houthi strikes, reaffirms support for KSA

Pakistan has strongly condemned the Houthi militia's attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, calling it a “heinous act of terrorism” and a threat to regional peace and security.

Foreign Office on Sunday posted on X that targeting a civilian airport was a flagrant violation of international law. The statement expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a swift recovery.

"Pakistan fully supports the Kingdom's legitimate right to defend its territory, protect its people and safeguard its cities and vital infrastructure against all threats and acts of agression," the statement added. 

The Foreign Office urged the international community to unequivocally condemn attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, stressing that such acts were unacceptable. "Pakistan calls upon Houthi militia to immediately cease its terrorist attacks," the FO statement remarked. 

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack in a post on X, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to the kingdom's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift and full recovery of the injured," the premier wrote on X. He further condemned targeting civilians and infrastructure as violations of international law and described them as a threat to regional peace.

"Pakistan stands in unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and brotherly people," he added, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to KSA's "sovereignty, territorial integrity and security."

The attack reportedly killed 12 people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi authorities. The Saudi-led coalition blamed Yemen's Houthi rebels for the strike and described it as a “fully-fledged war crime.”