WEBDESK - NAYADAUR
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned two Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, pledging that Pakistan would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the kingdom in confronting security threats.
The attacks on Oct. 7 killed three people, including two women, and injured 36 others, according to the information provided by Saudi authorities. At least one Pakistani citizen was among those injured.
In a post on X, Sharif praised the Saudi armed forces and coalition forces for intercepting multiple ballistic missiles and their efforts to protect civilians and the kingdom's critical infrastructure.
“I commend the vigilance and professionalism of the Saudi Armed Forces and the Coalition in intercepting multiple ballistic missiles and their tireless efforts to save innocent lives and protect the Kingdom,” Sharif said.
The Pakistani prime minister reiterated Islamabad's “unwavering solidarity” with Saudi Arabia's leadership and people.
He said Pakistan's commitment to the kingdom's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security remained firm under the recently agreed Makkah Joint Defense Agreement and decisions taken by its strategic political and defense committee.
“We fully support the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend its people and protect its cities and critical infrastructure,” Sharif said.
He also called on the Houthis to immediately halt their attacks.
“The Houthi militia must immediately stop these attacks,” the prime minister said, adding that Pakistan would remain alongside Saudi Arabia in confronting such threats.
OIC condemns attacks
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on the two Saudi airports.
In a statement issued Thursday, the OIC General Secretariat described the attacks as a dangerous escalation and a “heinous act” targeting civilians and critical infrastructure.
The organization said such attacks posed a threat to the security and stability of Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
The OIC expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
It also reaffirmed its “full and unwavering solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and support for measures taken by the kingdom to protect its security, sovereignty and the safety of its citizens and residents.
Saudi-led coalition strikes Houthi targets
The latest attacks come as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified in recent weeks, with civilian facilities among the reported targets.
In response, the Saudi-led military coalition has launched retaliatory operations against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said Thursday that 82 military targets across Yemen had been destroyed in response to recent attacks on civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia.
He said attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure would not go “unpunished.”
The coalition also said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and another missile launched toward Khamis Mushait.
Saudi Civil Defense later reported that debris from a Houthi ballistic missile intercepted over Riyadh damaged a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex in the capital.
The authorities said the missile had been launched from Yemen by the Houthi militia. They did not immediately report whether anyone was injured.
The escalation comes against the backdrop of broader regional tensions and growing concern over attacks on civilian and strategic infrastructure across the region.