Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Oct 11: The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen on Sunday vowed a firm response to a Houthi attack targeting a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, which reportedly killed 12 people and injured 309 others.
Coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Malki said in a statement posted on his official X account that the attack carried out by the Houthi group constituted a war crime under international humanitarian law and customary international rules.
Describing the incident as a heinous act, Al-Malki said it violated humanitarian principles, values and morals. He stressed that the coalition's Joint Forces Command would respond firmly to what he termed a "terrorist attack", in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said the attack on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday afternoon claimed 12 lives and left 309 people injured, amid continuing exchanges of strikes between Yemen's Houthi group and Saudi Arabia targeting major airports.
According to the aviation authority, the deceased included four Saudi citizens and eight foreign residents — two Bangladeshis and one each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
The injured are undergoing treatment at several hospitals, with some reported to be in serious condition, the authority said.
In an earlier statement, the authority said airport operations had been temporarily suspended pending damage assessments and safety checks.
India has also condemned the attack on King Khalid International Airport and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia in defending its sovereignty.
New Delhi described attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure as unacceptable and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the dastardly attack on October 10, which have led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property. We express our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish speedy recovery to the injured persons."
"The repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately," the statement added.
"We stand in solidarity with the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defence of their sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy returns to the region at the earliest," the MEA said.