India condemned on Thursday recent attacks on Saudi Arabia's international airports in Riyadh and Abha, saying they were "completely unacceptable" and that New Delhi stands with the people and government of the Kingdom.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that, “India condemns the attacks over the past few days targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.”
"The targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable. We express our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We wish speedy recovery for those injured," the ministry said.
“We express solidarity and stand with the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it added.
India's condemnation came after Yemen's Houthi fighters claimed on Thursday morning that they had struck Saudi Arabia's main international airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile and hit their target "with precision".
Also read: Yemen's Houthis claim they struck Saudi's Riyadh airport with ballistic missile; ops hit
{{/usCountry}}Also read: Yemen's Houthis claim they struck Saudi's Riyadh airport with ballistic missile; ops hit
{{/usCountry}}Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a post on X that the attack disrupted operations at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. He also warned global airlines against operating flights in Saudi airspace, except over the sacred sites of Mecca and Medina, or face "consequences".
The latest attacks come amid a wider escalation involving the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The group has targeted Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and shipping, while Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis.
India has consistently called for de-escalation, dialogue and the restoration of peace in West Asia. New Delhi has also repeatedly condemned attacks on the United Arab Emirates, commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said that the targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and civilian infrastructure is unacceptable to India, while calling for the restoration of free and safe navigation and the flow of commerce through international waterways.
India had also condemned a recent attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman, in which one Indian seafarer was reported missing while 13 others were rescued. New Delhi called for immediate de-escalation and the pursuit of dialogue and diplomacy to bring peace to the region.
The issue of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia had also figured in a meeting between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the margins of the Brics Summit. India said it was deeply concerned by the escalation in the Red Sea and had condemned attacks on Saudi sovereign territory, including civilian infrastructure and economic assets.
India had earlier said Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia undermine regional security and threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. New Delhi has also expressed concern over an attempted attack near the holy city of Mecca and called for the early restoration of peace and stability in West Asia.
Saudi Arabia is also a member of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Turkey. The three countries signed the pact in September, agreeing that an armed attack on any one of them would be regarded as an attack on all, with the agreement aimed at strengthening collective deterrence and military cooperation.
The pact has since come into focus amid the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey recently reaffirmed their commitment to defend the Kingdom and condemned attacks targeting Mecca as well as Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing any further attack on Mecca as a "red line" for Islamabad. Speaking at the United Nations, Sharif said the attempted drone attack on the holy city had outraged Muslims across the world and that any threat to the safety and sanctity of Mecca must not be crossed.
Pakistan and Turkey also agreed earlier this week to activate collective defence measures under the Mecca Defence Alliance and take steps to provide and swiftly deploy agreed forces and military capabilities to Saudi Arabia. The joint statement from the three countries strongly condemned alleged attempts to target Mecca and Medina, as well as attacks on Saudi cities, civilian facilities and economic installations.
Blasts heard in Saudi, diplomats instructed to take shelter
Multiple blasts were heard in Saudi capital Riyadh on Thursday, news agency AFP reporting, following which, diplomats were asked take shelter in their respective embassies.
Residents also told AFP that international schools were also taking precautions and that one facility sent children into a basement for safety.
Some firms also evacuated their staff from the area, two people working in Riyadh's business hub told AFP.