ANKARA, Oct 12 (Reuters) — Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have condemned the Houthi militia’s attacks on Riyadh’s international airport, describing them as a dangerous escalation that cannot be justified under any pretext.
Saudi authorities reported that a recent attack on the airport on Sunday killed one person and injured about a dozen, following a previous Houthi strike that killed 13 and wounded more than 300.
The R4 — comprising these regional powers — reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia, expressing full support for all legitimate measures and steps the kingdom is taking to counter the attacks, deter threats, and prevent future incidents.
“The Group holds the Houthi militia fully accountable for the attacks and any repercussions that threaten regional and international peace and security, and demands an immediate, unconditional cessation of the attacks,” according to a joint statement released on Sunday.
NATO member Turkey and nuclear‑armed Pakistan signed a joint defence pact with Saudi Arabia in August, stipulating that an attack on any party is considered an attack on all. Last week, the three nations announced they would honor their collective defence commitments and expedite the deployment of forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia in response to the Houthi attacks.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey is evaluating ways to assist Saudi Arabia but has ruled out sending troops or taking part in offensive operations. A day earlier, officials told Reuters that Ankara is providing mainly defensive and technical support to Riyadh.
Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army and a robust defence industry, has provided Saudi Arabia with defence equipment and agreed to join a Saudi‑led coalition to ensure navigational safety in the Red Sea.