Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply shocked” by and “strongly condemns” a Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday that killed at least 12 people and wounded nearly 310.
The ministry said the strike caused “the tragic deaths of innocent people and injuries to civilians.” Some of the wounded are in critical condition. The dead include four Saudi nationals, one U.S. citizen and citizens of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
“Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure constitute a serious violation of international law and must stop immediately,” the ministry said in a statement. It urged all parties to “exercise restraint” and resolve differences through dialogue in line with the United Nations Charter.
The ministry expressed condolences to victims’ families and reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. “The Republic of Uzbekistan expresses sincere solidarity with the fraternal people and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it said.
The New York Times reported that the strike was the deadliest attack on an Arab country in the region since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in February.
Two days earlier, on Oct. 8, an attack on the airport killed three people, including a Saudia pilot, and wounded several others. Airport operations were disrupted.
On Oct. 9, Uzbekistan’s embassy in Saudi Arabia warned citizens of possible flight delays and route changes amid regional tensions. It also advised avoiding areas near the border with Yemen and following local authorities’ instructions.
Notes: I left out a dateline because the source doesn’t give a filing location. The statement’s date isn’t given either, so the story doesn’t date it. Tell me if you want either added.
