Pakistan 'strongly condemns' missile attacks on Saudi Arabia

It is reprehensible that attacks directed at civilian population fighting coronavirus, says FO

Pakistan has "strongly condemned" the missile attacks on Saudi Arab's capital Riyadh and the southern city of Jazan late Saturday at a time when the kingdom is grappling with the coronavirus outbreak.

"It is particularly reprehensible that armed attacks were directed at civilian population that is already fighting the pandemic," the Foreign Office said in a statement on Sunday.

Residents in Riyadh reported multiple blasts followed by emergency vehicle sirens in some northern districts.

The source of the projectiles was unclear and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

"We laud the Saudi Defence Forces for their timely interception, preventing loss of precious lives and damage to property," the communique added.

While reiterating its full solidarity with the people of Saudi Arabia, Islamabad "reaffirms its support to the kingdom against any threat to its security and territorial integrity."



Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis battling the Saudi-led coalition have launched hundreds of missiles and drones across the border, mostly at nearby military and civilian targets but also at Riyadh. The last attempted strike on the capital was in June 2018.

According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia halted entry and exit into Jeddah governorate on Sunday, expanding lockdown rules as it reported four new deaths from a coronavirus outbreak that continues to spread in the region despite drastic measures to contain it.

The Saudi health ministry said four more foreign residents, in Jeddah and Medina, had died from the virus, taking the total to eight. The kingdom confirmed 96 new infections to raise its tally to 1,299, the highest among Gulf Arab states.

Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain reported more cases, taking the total in the six Gulf nations to over 3,200, with 15 deaths.