NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday condemned recent attacks targeting airports in Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group, calling the targeting of civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable”.MEA issued a statement saying that the attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.“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 MEA said.“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. We express solidarity and stand with the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it added.The MEA statement came after the Houthi group on Thursday issued a “last warning” to global airlines operating flights through Saudi airspace, saying the area had become a “theater for our military operations”.The group also claimed it had attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile. There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabia of the latest claim.Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the missile “struck its target with precision and caused the disruption of airport operations.”
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“We reiterate our call and warning “for the last time” to all global airlines regarding the consequences of continuing to operate flights in Saudi airspace, which has become a theater for our military operations,” Saree said.He added that airspace over the “sacred areas” in Mecca and Medina was exempt from the warning.The Houthi statement came hours after Saudi Arabia said a midweek attack on King Khalid International Airport had killed one person.The US Mission in Saudi Arabia had on Wednesday urged American citizens to exercise heightened vigilance amid Houthi threats targeting airports and Saudi airspace. It warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.
