Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned an attack attributed to Yemen’s Houthi group targeting the main airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, which reportedly killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300 others.
Anwar, in a statement published on the social media platform X on Sunday, said Malaysia unequivocally condemned the attack, stressing that violence against civilians and civilian infrastructure could not be justified.
“There can be no justification for attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said.
The Malaysian prime minister warned that endangering innocent lives would only worsen the suffering caused by the conflict and extend its consequences to places that should remain beyond its reach.
He also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people during what he described as a perilous period, reaffirming Malaysia’s hope that diplomacy and reason would prevail before the conflict escalated further.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters also condemned the attacks on Riyadh’s airport and other locations across Saudi Arabia, expressing solidarity with the Saudi government and its citizens.
Peters described attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure as “completely deplorable,” underscoring concerns over the humanitarian consequences of the escalating violence.
International Victims Reported
According to Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority, the Saturday airport attack killed four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshi nationals and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
More than 300 people were reportedly injured, with victims receiving treatment at hospitals. Some of the injured were said to be in critical condition.
The attack also disrupted airport operations, with the aviation authority announcing a temporary suspension of services while officials assessed the damage and verified the safety of airport facilities.
Passengers were advised to contact their airlines before travelling to the airport as authorities worked to determine when normal operations could resume.
The disruption affected regional air travel, with Kuwait Airways cancelling its Saturday flights to Riyadh and the corresponding return services, citing the airport’s closure.
Rising Regional Tensions
The attack came amid heightened tensions following a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports and facilities in recent days.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the potential expansion of the conflict and the risks posed to civilians and critical infrastructure across the region.
The condemnations by Malaysia and New Zealand reflect growing international concern over attacks on civilian targets, while diplomatic appeals continue to emphasise the need to prevent further escalation and pursue peaceful solutions.
