The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned in the strongest terms Houthi group attacks on King Khalid International Airport that killed 12 people and injured hundreds of civilians. The ministry issued its statement following strikes that also targeted a Saudia aircraft and damaged airport facilities in the Saudi capital. Saudi civil aviation authorities placed the dead at individuals from Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian, Palestinian, Sudanese, American and Bangladeshi nationalities. The incidents prompted widespread flight cancellations and diversions across regional carriers.
In the statement distributed by WAM, the ministry affirmed that these attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its security and stability. The UAE position comes amid a series of similar strikes that Saudi officials linked to the Iran-aligned group in Yemen. The ministry’s assessment aligns with reports from Saudi authorities that classified the targeting of civilian aviation as a serious escalation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding the kingdom’s security and stability. It expressed sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims as well as to the Saudi people. The statement extended wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured in the October strikes.
Saudi civil aviation authorities reported that the attacks led to the temporary closure of sections of King Khalid International Airport with operations suspended for safety reviews. Khaleej Times reported that the strikes formed part of intensified Houthi activity that has affected several Saudi airports including Abha and facilities in the south. The cumulative impact has included material damage to terminals and aircraft alongside the human toll.
Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project shows the Houthis carried out nearly 1,000 rocket and missile attacks on Saudi territory between 2015 and 2022 with civilian airports frequently among the targets. Saudi records from 2019 document multiple strikes on King Khalid International Airport that caused deaths and injuries among passengers and staff. The current escalation has revived concerns over aviation safety in the Gulf according to regional security assessments.
The Saudi-led coalition has vowed to respond decisively to the Houthi actions and stated that it continues to target launch sites in Yemen. Houthi spokesmen have claimed responsibility for the recent attacks while describing Saudi airspace as a legitimate area of operations. Saudi officials have maintained that such strikes on civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian standards.
Arab League statements have echoed the UAE position by denouncing the attacks on airports as a threat to international air navigation and regional stability. Similar condemnations have come from other GCC states that stressed the need to protect civilian infrastructure. The incidents have heightened coordination among Gulf aviation regulators to address ongoing risks.
