Japan Foreign Chief Condemns Houthis for Saudi Airport Attacks
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has strongly condemned the pro-Iran Houthi militant group in Yemen for attacking international airports in Saudi Arabia. Among the series of attacks since last week, Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured more than 300.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, endured a second attack within a two-day span, resulting in a terminal fire and injuries. A Saudi military spokesperson confirmed a projectile struck the airport, while the civil aviation authority reported injuries. This incident came after a deadly attack on Saturday that claimed 12 lives and left over 300 wounded.
The Houthi movement took responsibility for the recent onslaught, warning airlines and passengers to avoid Saudi airports and airspace. The group claimed to have launched ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, targeting the airport over the past day. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthi spokesman, vowed to continue "escalating operations deep inside Saudi Arabia," threatening to strike airports across the kingdom, except those in Mecca and Medina.
The Houthis have connected their attacks to Saudi support for Yemen's government forces and an alleged Saudi air strike on Sanaa International Airport. Saudi-led military coalition spokesman, Major General Turki al-Maliki, reported intercepting a missile near Riyadh's airport. US President Donald Trump said the US would decide on potential strikes against the Houthis and act swiftly.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting hinted at possible additional assistance for Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition denounced the incident as a "war crime" and vowed retaliation. The deceased included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one person each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. An Indian national also died from injuries received during Saturday's attack.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed an American citizen among the casualties. Britain's Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expressed outrage, and the UK Foreign Office warned against travel in Saudi Arabia, including areas within 10 kilometers of the Yemen border. Houthi-controlled Al Masirah television claimed an air strike on Sanaa International Airport, though this was unconfirmed by Saudi authorities, and the BBC was unable to independently verify the report.
Yemen's internationally recognized government called for decisive actions in response to the escalating violence. Tensions escalated following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire in July, and the Houthis seized significant sections of Yemen's Red Sea coast, prompting Saudi air strikes. Pro-government forces subsequently reclaimed the areas.
Riyadh's airport faced an attack on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of three Saudi nationals. The Houthis claimed responsibility for this strike, stating they utilized cruise missiles against the facility. Two other deadly attacks targeted Saudi airports in Abha and Riyadh in the two days leading up to Thursday's incident. The renewed violence follows the termination of a temporary ceasefire in July and the Houthis' expansion into Yemen's Red Sea coastline, which triggered Saudi air strikes.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Post Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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