Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — The terrorist attack by the Iran-backed Houthi militia on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport on Wednesday, which caused a fire in a civilian aircraft, has drawn global condemnation.
Saudi Arabia’s regional allies were the first to denounce the dastardly attack, and the United States joined them in condemning the attack.
In an official reaction, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki expressed the US' condemnation of the attack, noting that the Houthis with these attacks show a desire to prolong the Yemeni crisis.
Psaki said in a press conference from the White House on Wednesday that this attack undermines efforts to bring peace to Yemen, stressing that Washington will continue to work to end the Yemeni crisis through diplomacy.
The European Union called for these attacks to stop, EU spokesman Peter Stano said in a tweet.
Condemning the terrorist attack, the Gulf ally Bahrain said it is in a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
In a statement carried by Bahrain’s News Agency, the foreign ministry stressed the firm position of Bahrain, which strongly supports Saudi Arabia and all that preserves its security, stability, and solidarity, as well as all the measures it takes to confront these cowardly acts that target civilians and destabilize security.
The Bahraini ministry also lauded the vigilance of the Arab Coalition forces and their success in intercepting these two drones.
The foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates issued a statement on Wednesday, saying: “The UAE considered the onslaught a grave escalation and cowardly act that poses a menacing threat to the security and safety of civilians and travelers.”
"The attack is tantamount to a war crime that entails taking all necessary measures to protect civilian objects from the threats of the Houthis," the statement added.
The UAE has renewed its full solidarity with the Kingdom over these subversive terrorist attacks and reiterated its stance against all threats to the Kingdom's security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents.
The statement emphasized that "the security of the UAE and Saudi Arabia are indivisible, and that any threat facing the Kingdom is considered by the Emirates a threat to its security and stability."
The UAE ministry reaffirmed that the UAE considers this attack "new evidence of these terrorist militia's attempts to undermine security and stability in the region and their rejection and obstruction of the peace efforts being made to resolve the Yemeni crisis.
Kuwait’s foreign ministry in a statement said that the continuation of these sinful terrorist acts confirms the danger they pose to security and stability in the region, and its continued flagrant defiance of international and humanitarian law by targeting civilians and civilian areas.
The Kuwait ministry called on the international community, represented by the United Nations Security Council, to assume its role to deter these acts as they pose a blatant threaten to international peace and security.
The statement affirmed Kuwait's full support and solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in all measures it takes to defend its security, stability and sovereignty.
Egypt noted that the Houthi’s activities threaten Saudi Arabia’s security and stability.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said that Egypt reaffirms its solidarity with Saudi Arabia’s government and people in confronting these “terrorist acts”,
It added said that the Iranian-backed militia also threatens the safety of its citizens and residents, whilst presenting a clear and direct threat to regional security and stability.
Jordan’s foreign ministry said the attack “targeted civilian facilities and put the lives of innocent civilian travelers at risk.”
The country stands with the Kingdom against such “reoccurring cowardly terrorist acts.”
Meanwhile, United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed deep concern over the attack.
During the press conference, Dujarric affirmed the United Nations' condemnation of all attacks targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure.
In a statement, the Pakistani foreign ministry affirmed that these attacks threaten the peace and security of Saudi Arabia, as well as the region, reiterating Pakistan's call for an immediate cessation of such terrorist attacks.
Pakistan reiterated its full support and solidarity with the Kingdom against any threats to its security and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, regional organizations like the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab Parliament also issued statements condemning the attack.
GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf said that the cowardly attack, which was perpetrated by the Houthi militias represented a war crime against civilians, calling for the terrorists to be held accountable in line with the international humanitarian law.
He lauded the vigilance and competence of the Saudi-led Arabi Coalition, which put out the fire that engulfed a civilian plane at the airport.
Dr. Al Hajraf reiterated the council’s support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, backing all measures to defend its territories and protect citizens' and residents’ security and safety.
Meanwhile, Arab Parliament Speaker Adel bin Abdulrahman Al Assomi also denounced the attack, saying: “This attack confirms the terrorist nature of this militia, perpetrating war crimes against innocent civilians.”
He urged the international community to take immediate action against the terrorist Houthis and the Iranian regime which harbors and funds them.
The speaker reiterated the Arab Parliament’s unwavering support to Saudi Arabia, backing all measures being undertaken to defend its territories and protect citizens’ security and safety.
