Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt condemned Sunday’s Houthi attack on Riyadh International Airport, describing it as a “dangerous escalation that cannot be justified or accepted under any pretext,” Reuters reported. According to Saudi authorities, one person was killed and more than ten others were wounded in the attack.
1+The countries placed responsibility for the attack on the Houthi terrorist organization and expressed full support for all “legitimate measures and steps” taken by Saudi Arabia to confront the attacks. They also demanded an immediate halt to all hostile actions against the kingdom.
Sunday’s strike came just one day after a coordinated Houthi attack killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 others.
Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation, and Turkey, a NATO member, signed the “Mecca Agreement,” a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, approximately two months ago. Under the agreement, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
1+Despite signing the agreement and reaffirming it last week, when all participating countries announced they had reached an understanding to implement their defense commitments, Turkey and Pakistan have so far offered only limited, nonbinding condemnations.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan ruled out deploying troops or participating in offensive operations last Thursday. Turkish officials maintain that Ankara is providing defensive and technical assistance to Riyadh.
Meanwhile, the Turkish parliament has yet to formally approve the mutual defense agreement.