World condemns Houthi strike on Riyadh airport that killed 13, including Indian

Global leaders condemned the deadly strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport that killed 13 people and injured more than 300. The attack has intensified fears of wider regional escalation as countries demanded an immediate end to assaults on civilians.Stock photo used for illustrationWashington/dubai,Oct 11, 2026 22:30 ISTLeaders and senior officials from across the world have condemned the deadly strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed at least 13 people, including an Indian national, and injured more than 300. The attack on Saturday was blamed by Saudi Arabia on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and came amid an intensifying conflict that has seen repeated strikes on Saudi infrastructure this month.The attack drew strong reactions from the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, Canada and several countries in West Asia and beyond. US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering joining Saudi strikes against the Houthis, while countries including Pakistan, Qatar, Palestine, Jordan and Malaysia voiced solidarity with Saudi Arabia.The strike was the latest in a series of attacks on the kingdom's infrastructure. Saudi airports have come under several attacks this month, including strikes on Riyadh and Abha. The latest violence has unfolded against the backdrop of the wider war involving Iran and its regional adversaries, raising concerns about further instability across the region.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the attack marked a "dangerous escalation". She expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people and offered condolences to the victims and their families. She said attacks by Iran's proxies were pushing the region into a spiral of violence and destabilising crucial global transport and energy nodes. The EU chief described the attacks on civilians as murderous and said they must stop immediately. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that he was "deeply shocked" by the attack and strongly condemned it. "Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. These attacks must cease immediately," he said in a post on X. Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, described strikes on civilian airports in Saudi Arabia as a "grave escalation", warning that they threatened regional security and complicated efforts to achieve peace.Trump said on Saturday he was considering whether the United States should join Saudi strikes against the Houthis. "We may. We're going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack. So we'll make a decision. We move very quickly," he told reporters, according to the AP news agency. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US strongly condemned the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the strike on Riyadh's airport that killed an American citizen. "These reprehensible attacks must stop," he said, adding that Washington stood with Saudi Arabia and extended condolences to the victims and their families. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the Houthi attacks as "abhorrent", saying there could be no justification for attacks on civilian infrastructure or the deliberate targeting of innocent people. "Canada condemns these reckless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms," he said in a social media post, extending condolences to the families of those killed and wishing a full recovery to the injured. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport and said, "Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must cease," adding that Italy would continue working with regional partners to reduce tensions and promote stability and freedom of navigation.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned what he called the "horrific terrorist attack" on King Khalid International Airport and extended condolences to the families of those killed. "Terrorism targets innocent people and seeks to spread fear and instability. It must be confronted with resolve," he said. He added that Israel looked forward to a strong Middle East united against threats and working towards security, cooperation and prosperity.Switzerland condemned the deadly attack and called for immediate de-escalation, urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law, particularly provisions related to protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Turkish official Burhanettin Duran strongly condemned the attacks targeting civilians and airports in Saudi Arabia, saying the international community needed to adopt a joint and determined stance to stop the region from being dragged into further conflict and chaos.Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he unequivocally denounced the attack, which had taken innocent lives and left hundreds injured. He extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a swift recovery. "There can be no justification for attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure," Anwar said, adding that such attacks could deepen the suffering caused by the conflict and spread it to places that should remain beyond its reach. He said Malaysia stood in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and hoped diplomacy and reason would prevail before the conflict widened further.Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it a flagrant violation of international law and a threat to regional peace and stability. He reaffirmed Islamabad's support for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, citing the two countries' ties and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed in August. The agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye on August 7, says that an armed attack against any one of the three countries shall be regarded as an attack against all three.Qatar's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a grave violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security, civilian safety and air navigation. It expressed solidarity with Riyadh and said Saudi Arabia's security was integral to Qatar's own security and that of the Gulf Cooperation Council states. Palestine's Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack, expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, offered condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Egypt too condemned the attacks, describing them as a violation of international law and expressing concern over the threat to civilian safety.Bangladesh strongly condemned the attack, which killed two of its nationals, and said its mission in Riyadh was in touch with Saudi authorities to get details about the Bangladeshi victims and provide necessary assistance to those affected. Dhaka called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and a peaceful resolution of the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy. It also reiterated its solidarity with the Saudi government and people.India on Sunday strongly condemned repeated attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including Saturday's strike. "We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the dastardly attack on October 10, which have led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property," the Ministry of External Affairs said. Describing the attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure as "completely unacceptable", the ministry said they must cease immediately. It expressed condolences to the families of those killed, wished the injured a speedy recovery and voiced solidarity with the Saudi government and people in defence of the kingdom's sovereignty. It also said it hoped peace and normalcy would return to the region soon.In a separate development, Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent a letter of recognition to Captain Smit Machchhar, praising him as a "hero of Israel, India, and all of humanity". Herzog said he was praying for Machchhar's full and speedy recovery and invited him to Jerusalem after he regained his strength. He said he would be honoured to present Machchhar with the Israeli Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, which he described as Israel's highest recognition of civilian heroism.Saudi authorities said 12 people were killed and 309 injured in Saturday's attack, some of them critically. The dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals and one citizen each of the US, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Sudan. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Sunday that an Indian national who was injured in the Riyadh attack had died. "We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. We are in touch with the family and will provide all support for ensuring the early repatriation of mortal remains," it said. The embassy added that at least 10 Indians were among the more than 300 people injured in the attack.The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis blamed the rebels for the strike, described it as a war crime and vowed a firm response. On Sunday, the Houthis renewed their warning to airlines, airport workers and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that Saudi Arabia bore responsibility for what they described as failed interceptions. Saudi civil aviation authorities suspended airport operations after the attack and flights were diverted, while several countries warned their citizens to avoid the facility. The strike has sharpened fears of a wider regional escalation even as countries across the world continue to condemn the attack and call for an immediate end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.With PTI Inputs- Ends