Pakistan, allies back Saudi response to attack

R4 nations condemn deadly Riyadh airport strike

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye on Sunday strongly condemned a deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and backed the Kingdom's right to take "all legitimate measures" to counter the threat, as Islamabad signalled firm support for its key Gulf ally amid a sharp escalation in the Yemen conflict.

In a joint statement issued by the Foreign Office, the four countries, grouped as R4, condemned "in the strongest terms" the ongoing Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, particularly the strike on King Khalid International Airport that caused civilian deaths and injuries and damaged civilian infrastructure.

"The Group further reaffirms its solidarity with and support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including its full support for all legitimate measures and steps it takes to counter these attacks, deter the sources of their threats, and prevent their recurrence," the statement said.

The wording appeared significant as Saudi Arabia weighs its response to the latest attacks, which have dramatically raised tensions in the region.

Saudi authorities said 12 people were killed and 309 wounded in Saturday's attack on the Riyadh airport, the deadliest Houthi strike on the Kingdom in years. Six Pakistani nationals were among those injured. Another projectile struck the airport on Sunday, according to the Saudi-led coalition.

The R4 countries described the attacks as a "flagrant violation" of Saudi sovereignty and territorial integrity and a direct threat to the Kingdom's security and stability.

They held the Houthis "fully accountable" for the attacks and their repercussions for regional and international peace and security, demanding their immediate and unconditional cessation.

The collective statement followed separate strong reactions from Pakistan's top leadership. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as "heinous" and said Pakistan stood firmly with KSA.

Speaking separately at a federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister drew attention to Pakistan's defence commitments to the Kingdom.

"We have a bilateral agreement, a trilateral agreement with regard to defence [of Saudi Arabia]," Shehbaz said. "And Pakistan will not tolerate any kind of aggression. Our agreements demand it and so do our bonds of brotherhood."

He described threats to Saudi Arabia, particularly the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, as a "red line" and said Pakistan would cooperate with Riyadh "in every possible way".

In a statement posted on X, he said he was deeply saddened to learn that six Pakistani nationals had got injured as a result of Houthis attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. "I pray for their speedy recovery. Our Embassy in Riyadh is in close contact with the Saudi authorities and is extending all possible assistance to the affected families," he said.

Earlier, the Foreign Office described the targeting of a civilian airport as a "heinous act of terrorism, a flagrant violation of international law and a grave threat to regional peace and security".

It said the continued targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure by the Houthi militia was "utterly unacceptable" and must be unequivocally condemned by the international community.