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Türkiye condemns renewed Houthi strike on Riyadh airport as global outcry grows

Planes preparing for takeoff at Riyadh King Khalid Airport on March 5, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Adobe Stock Photo)
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Planes preparing for takeoff at Riyadh King Khalid Airport on March 5, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Adobe Stock Photo)
October 11, 2026 05:20 PM GMT+03:00

Türkiye on Sunday condemned "in the strongest terms" the latest Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed at least 12 people and injured 309, joining a wave of international condemnation from the EU, Russia, Ukraine and others.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the Houthi targeting of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, once again," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Saturday's strike was the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade, and the Houthis threatened further attacks on the kingdom's airports on Sunday as Riyadh's airport remained closed.

Türkiye: Attacks 'clear violations of international law'

The ministry said attacks deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians are clear violations of international law and the principles of international humanitarian law.

"Actions that threaten regional security and stability and undermine the international community's joint efforts to establish peace must be ended immediately," it said, reiterating Ankara's support for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Turkish national flags hanging over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building in  Ankara, Türkiye, at an unspecified time.  (Adobe Stock Photo)
Turkish national flags hanging over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building in Ankara, Türkiye, at an unspecified time. (Adobe Stock Photo)

EU: 'An appalling act of terror'

"The Houthi attack on Riyadh’s international airport is an appalling act of terror. There can be no justification for indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X.

"Enhanced coordination between the EU’s Red Sea naval operation Aspides and the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition is vital," she noted.

"The deadliest Houthi attack so far on Riyadh’s airport marks a dangerous escalation,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

"These attacks by Iran’s proxies are pushing the region into a spiral of violence. These murderous attacks at civilians must stop at once," she added.

Russia, Ukraine, UK, France condemn

"Russia’s position remains unchanged: there is no alternative to resolving any crisis situations in the region through political and diplomatic means, while safeguarding the interests of all states located in the area, without exception," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called attacks on civilian infrastructure a "flagrant violation" of international law. "We extend our deepest condolences to the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to the families of those killed in this brutal attack, and to the countries whose citizens were among the victims," he wrote.

"What we’ve seen overnight is a dangerous escalation and I’m afraid an increasing pattern of behavior from the Houthis that’s targeting civilian sites in Saudi Arabia," U.K. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News. "This is completely contemptible action."

France condemned the "heinous attack," saying it "will continue to remain by its side in its defense of its territory and its infrastructure." A French woman was among the injured, the French Foreign Ministry said.

Planes preparing for takeoff at Riyadh King Khalid Airport on March 5, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Planes preparing for takeoff at Riyadh King Khalid Airport on March 5, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Adobe Stock Photo)

Pakistan, Syria, Malaysia, New Zealand join

"Attacks targeting civilians and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable and constitute a serious threat to regional peace and stability," Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi security under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.

Syria's Foreign Ministry said Saudi security is "an integral part of the security of Syria and the entire region."

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, "There can be no justification for attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure."

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters called the attacks "completely deplorable."

The UAE, Qatar, Germany, Iraq and Jordan also denounced the attack.

Houthis: Airports 'a theatre of operations'

The Houthis did not claim Saturday's attack but threatened new strikes on Saudi airports, except those serving Mecca and Medina. "The airports and airspace are exposed to targeting and constitute a theater of operations for our forces," military spokesman Yahya Saree wrote on X.

Riyadh airport operations remained suspended Sunday, with radar and communications equipment damaged, an aviation source told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Houthi media reported two Saudi strikes in Sanaa governorate, as condemnation of the Riyadh airport attack mounted.

October 11, 2026 05:20 PM GMT+03:00
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