India condemns attacks on Abha, King Khalid airports, stands with Saudi Arabia: MEA

India has condemned attacks targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh over the past few days, saying that attacks on civilian infrastructure are “completely unacceptable”.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement issued on Thursday, said the attacks had resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.

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India expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

“We express solidarity and stand with the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the MEA said.

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The attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport took place separately on October 6 and 7, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Three people died and 36 others were injured.

At Abha Airport, two people were killed and 28 injured, while one person was killed and eight injured in the attack at King Khalid International Airport. GACA said the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment and authorities were assessing the damage and checking the safety of the facilities.

Earlier, Saudi-led coalition forces said they had destroyed 82 military targets belonging to the Houthi militia in Yemen following what they described as attacks on civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia, including the two airports.

Coalition Forces spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the attacks on civilian targets “will not go unpunished”.

The coalition said the targets included ballistic missile sites, command and control centres, communication systems, missile and weapons storage sites and gathering locations for Houthi groups.

It also said it had destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform in Sanaa that was being prepared for an imminent attack against Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that the group had carried out missile attacks against Saudi and Saudi-backed targets.

(With inputs from agencies)