PM Shehbaz condemns Houthi attack on Saudi airport killed 12, wound over 300

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed strong condemnation on Sunday for a Houthi missile strike on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which resulted in at least 12 deaths and over 300 injuries. The prime minister emphasized that striking civilian targets and critical infrastructure is "completely unacceptable" and poses a significant threat to regional stability.

He reiterated Pakistan's unwavering support for Saudi Arabia's security under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred for the third time in a week. At least 12 people, including four Saudis, two from Bangladesh, and one each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt, were killed, while 309 were wounded.

Hospitals were overwhelmed with the injured, and some were in critical condition. The previous attacks in the past week left four dead and caused significant damage to a commercial plane. The incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by Saudi Arabia as it confronts the Houthis in a broader conflict against them. Saudi Arabia and Yemen have conducted numerous strikes on Houthi targets, while the Houthis claim civilian casualties, including women and children.

All flights were diverted from Riyadh, and airport operations were suspended. The Houthi media office claimed the attack had "shut down" the airport. US President Trump indicated that the US may consider joining Saudi strikes on the Houthis after the attack. The US embassy in Riyadh advised US citizens to avoid the airport and surrounding areas.

The Saudi-Houthi conflict, which began in 2015, is a major regional issue with long-standing tensions and a ceasefire that collapsed in the summer.