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Türkiye condemns Houthi strikes on Saudi airports, reaffirms 'full solidarity'

A plume of smoke rises during a reported airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition on the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital Sanaa, on October 9, 2026. (AFP Photo)
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A plume of smoke rises during a reported airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition on the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital Sanaa, on October 9, 2026. (AFP Photo)
October 10, 2026 09:58 AM GMT+03:00

Türkiye condemned "in the strongest terms" Houthi attacks on two airports in Saudi Arabia, calling for an immediate end to strikes on civilians and infrastructure and reaffirming its "full solidarity" with the kingdom.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks carried out by the Houthis on Abha International Airport in the south of Saudi Arabia and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X.

The condemnation comes as Türkiye prepares to send the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (MJDA) with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to parliament and as Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis step up missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports and oil facilities.

An infographic titled "Airports attacked in Saudi Arabia," created in Ankara, Türkiye, on October 9, 2026. (AA Infographic)
An infographic titled "Airports attacked in Saudi Arabia," created in Ankara, Türkiye, on October 9, 2026. (AA Infographic)

Türkiye: Houthi attacks 'further escalate regional tensions'

The ministry offered condolences to the families of those killed and warned that such attacks further escalate tensions in the region.

"These attacks, which target civilians and civilian infrastructure and further escalate tensions in the region, must cease immediately," the statement noted.

"We reaffirm our full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reiterate our call for the resolution of ongoing conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy," it said.

Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesman Omer Celik also condemned the attacks on airports in Riyadh and Abha. "These acts of terror, which directly target regional peace, security and stability, can never be accepted," he wrote on X.

"Under the leadership of our President, we will continue to stand against all acts of terror that threaten the peace and security of the region," Celik said, offering condolences to "friend and brother" Saudi Arabia.

This frame grab, taken on October 9, 2026, shows a member of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces firing a machine gun mounted on a pickup truck during clashes with Houthis in Hayfan district, south of Taiz, Oct. 8, 2026. (AFP Photo)
This frame grab, taken on October 9, 2026, shows a member of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces firing a machine gun mounted on a pickup truck during clashes with Houthis in Hayfan district, south of Taiz, Oct. 8, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Trump: 'I'm not happy about it'

U.S. President Donald Trump also denounced the strikes.

"Not good. It's not a good thing. I’m not happy about it," he told reporters at the White House on Friday, when asked about the Houthi attack on Riyadh's airport.

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said two attacks on King Khalid International Airport on Thursday killed three Saudi citizens and injured others, targeting airport facilities and a Saudia aircraft.

Earlier Houthi strikes this week also caused deaths at Abha and Riyadh airports.

Passenger movement at King Khalid airport was "flowing smoothly" Friday, with operations resumed and air traffic back to normal, state broadcaster Al-Akhbariya reported.

The Houthis said Thursday they had fired ballistic and cruise missiles at King Khalid airport, Najran Airport, and an air base in Khamis Mushait, as Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian airports continued since Tuesday.

October 10, 2026 09:58 AM GMT+03:00
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