ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani foreign office on Monday condemned an attack by Houthi rebels on Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia on Sunday that killed one civilian and injured 21 others.
Saudi officials have not confirmed what type of weapons were used in the attack but Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV said a suspected drone hit a parking lot inside Abha airport, which is about 200 km (125 miles) north of the Yemen border and serves domestic and regional routes.
“Pakistan strongly condemns attack on Abha airport last night, resulting in one death and injuries to twenty-one others,” the foreign office said in a statement. “Pakistan reiterates its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threat to its security and territorial integrity.”
Leaders of Pakistan’s ruling and opposition parties were unanimous in offering condemnation for Sunday’s attack.
“Pakistan has always condemned terrorism in all its forms, and we strongly condemn the attack on the Saudi airport,” a key federal minister of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet, Fawad Chaudhry, told Arab News. “We believe that such incidents will not only cause instability in the region but in other parts of the world.”
“Saudi Arabia is not only a friend but also a very strong ally of Pakistan. We consider his Royal highness Mohammad bin Salman and his majesty King Salman an integral part of Pakistan’s foreign policy relationship with the Kingdom,” Chaudhry said.”We want to assure the government of Saudi Arabia and its leadership that the Pakistani nation stands with you.”
Sehar Kamran, a leader belonging to the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, said the party condemned Sunday’s attack.
“This uncalled aggression, repeated attacks and civilian casualties have raised concerns and alarm bells,” she told Arab News. “Saudi Arabia is a sacred land for all Muslims and we stand with the royal leadership and the people of Saudi Arabia during this testing time.”
Senator Lt General (Retired) Abdul Qayyum from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party said any attack on Saudi Arabia was condemnable.
“We feel that such attacks must be investigated and perpetrators must be punished,” Qayyum told Arab News. “This is our stated position that Pakistan stands by Saudi Arabia to protect is security and territorial integrity.”
Earlier this month, a Houthi missile hit Abha airport in a strike that wounded 26 people. The Pakistan government “reiterated its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity,” the foreign office said in a statement released on June 12.
