Saudi foreign ministry condemns missile attack on Baghdad Airport

A damaged aircraft on the tarmac of Baghdad airport, after a rocket attack on Friday, Jan. 28. (AP)
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Updated 29 January 2022
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Saudi foreign ministry condemns missile attack on Baghdad Airport

  • The rockets fired in the early hours of the morning landed on planes parked in a waiting area of Iraqi Airways

RIYADH: The Saudi foreign ministry on Saturday condemned an attack that targeted Baghdad International Airport on Friday.

Six rockets struck the airport’s facility, damaging two commercial planes but causing no casualties, Iraq’s military said.

The Saudi foreign ministry statement said the Kingdom rejected threats to the stability of Iraq and its air navigation, adding that it stood with the Iraqi government and the measures it is taking to protect its security.

The statement also affirmed Saudi Arabia's position in rejecting terrorism in all its forms and forms, regardless of its motives.

The rockets fired in the early hours of the morning landed on planes parked in a waiting area of Iraqi Airways, the country’s national carrier.

One of the rockets fired on Friday created a gaping hole in the cockpit area of one of the planes.

The attack marks an escalation of a series of strikes that have targeted the US and their allies as well as Iraqi government institutions since the start of the year, however most attacks targeting Baghdad airport did not cause heavy damage or affect civilian areas of the airport facility.

The recent increase followed the second anniversary of the US strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.


Southern Transitional Council welcomes Saudi invitation for Yemen dialogue

Updated 03 January 2026
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Southern Transitional Council welcomes Saudi invitation for Yemen dialogue

  • Saudi Arabia announced the invitation earlier on Saturday at the request of Rashad Al-Alimi, president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council
  • Kingdom urged all factions to participate “to develop a comprehensive vision”

RIYADH: The Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen on Saturday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s invitation to take part in an inclusive dialogue among southern Yemeni factions in Riyadh.

In a statement, the group said the move reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to resolving political issues through dialogue, particularly in relation to the southern people’s right to restore their state.

The STC stressed that any meaningful dialogue must recognize the will of the southern people, include full international guarantees, and consider a free referendum as part of any future proposals or political solutions.

The council said it had taken part in all stages of dialogue sponsored by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, beginning with the 2019 Riyadh Agreement, followed by the 2022 Riyadh Consultations, and culminating in the comprehensive Southern Dialogue that led to the adoption of the Southern National Charter in 2023—underscoring its consistent commitment to dialogue and political responsibility.

Saudi Arabia announced the invitation earlier on Saturday at the request of Rashad Al-Alimi, president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council.

The Kingdom urged all factions to participate “to develop a comprehensive vision” that would fulfill the aspirations of the southern people.

The initiative has received broad regional and international support.