Saudi minister vows serious response to Houthi airport attacks
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman vows a serious response following Houthi attacks on airports in Riyadh and Dammam, resulting in casualties.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman vows a serious response to ongoing airport attacks.
- Attacks on King Khalid International Airport terminals cause multiple casualties.
- The Houthi movement claims the strikes are retaliation for military actions in Yemen.
- UN Secretary-General condemns attacks on civilian infrastructure as international law violations.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply following official announcements from Saudi authorities promising a firm and serious response to a series of airport attacks carried out by Houthi rebels from Yemen, which have resulted in casualties and infrastructure damage.
Addressing the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman stated that the events of recent weeks were grave and that the kingdom's response must match that severity. He also thanked industry executives and policymakers for attending despite the security situation.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Over the weekend, King Khalid International Airport in the capital experienced major strikes. On Sunday, a Pakistani national was killed in an attack on a terminal, just a day after a Houthi missile hit another terminal, killing 13 people and forcing its closure. Additionally, King Fahd International Airport in the north-eastern city of Dammam was targeted later in the weekend.
This wave of strikes against civilian airports highlights the widening spillover of the protracted civil war in Yemen, which began in 2014. The conflict has increasingly impacted regional maritime trade routes in the Red Sea, introducing new risks to global energy supplies and international shipping corridors.
Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea stated in a video broadcast that their forces launched missiles and drones targeting airports in Riyadh and Dammam, alongside oil and gas facilities, in retaliation for Saudi air strikes inside Yemen. The group also reiterated warnings for commercial airlines to avoid Saudi airspace.
"The events of recent weeks are serious. Our response must be equally serious."
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman
The attacks have drawn widespread international condemnation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep shock, warning that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure violates international law, while Saudi-led coalition forces continue military operations to counter the threat.
Source: BBC World
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