ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday condemned Houthi drone attacks on an airport in Saudi Arabia’s city of Jazan, which injured at least 10 civilians.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the Saudi military as saying Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen were behind the attacks. Saudi-led coalition forces have been battling Houthis for the past six years. The group has been firing missiles and drones toward Saudi cities and oil facilities.
The attacks on Friday and Saturday targeted King Abdullah Airport. Among the injured were six Saudi passengers and airport employees, three Bangladeshi workers and a Sudanese worker.
"Pakistan strongly condemns the recent drone attack launched by Houthi militants on King Abdullah Airport in Jazan region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, causing injuries to people and damage to property," the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
The SPA reported that the first projectile, which caused injuries on Friday evening, was fired from a drone, shattering the airport’s facade windows. A second explosives-laden drone was intercepted by Saudi air defenses early on Saturday.
The Pakistani government has many times called for an immediate stop to Houthi attacks, which it says not only violate the kingdom's territorial integrity, but also threaten the lives of civilians.
"Such attacks not only violate the international law but also threaten peace and security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region. Pakistan calls for immediate cessation of these attacks," the foreign office said, as it reiterated Pakistan's support and solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity.
The attacks were also condemned by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab Parliament.
