Recent Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed a Pakistani resident and injured others, prompting Pakistan to condemn the strikes and reaffirm solidarity with Saudi Arabia while underscoring the civilian and economic costs of targeting critical infrastructure.

Through the Regional Four (R4) mechanism, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye jointly called for an immediate end to the attacks and support for Saudi defensive measures under international law, highlighting the value of regional diplomacy.

The article links the response to the 2026 Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and argues that security cooperation must remain within legal limits, prioritise civilian protection and accountability, and avoid wider escalation.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have provoked fears that civilians’ lives may be put at risk, as well as national sovereignty and regional stability. Attacking an important civilian asset such as the King Khalid International Airport is a clear demonstration of the economic and human toll of the ongoing violence against Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has expressed its condemnation of the attacks, and solidarity with the Kingdom, and the importance of the regional and international efforts to prevent further violence.

The latest incident is particularly significant as it involves a Pakistani resident who was killed and 11 other residents injured in an attack on the Riyadh airport, according to the Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The injured were hospitalised for treatment, as the damage to the airport was assessed. The attack follows a similar incident that reportedly killed 12 people and injured more than 300. The regional concern for the protection of civilians has increased with the multiple attacks on Riyadh airport.

Civilian infrastructure like airports is always supposed to be regarded as an asset, providing transport, economic development, emergency services, and other basic facilities. Attack against such an asset can create a direct impact upon communities as well as individuals. In international law, there is a requirement for the parties........

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