WASHINGTON — The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken strongly condemned the recent Houthi attack against Saudi Arabia that targeted Abha International Airport, wounding eight civilians and damaging a commercial airliner.

Blinken said in a statement that since the beginning of the year, Saudi Arabia has endured more than 240 attacks from the Houthis, who have endangered the Saudi people alongside more than 70,000 US citizens residing in Saudi Arabia.

He added that the Houthis have also intensified their attacks inside of Yemen in recent weeks, particularly their offensive on Marib. This costly, stalemated offensive is exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.

The Houthi attacks are perpetuating the conflict, prolonging the suffering of the Yemeni people, and jeopardizing peace efforts at a critical moment. Blinken again called on the Houthis to uphold a ceasefire and engage in negotiations under UN auspices.

Earlier, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf condemned the terrorist attack carried out by the Houthi militia against Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia.

In a press release, Al-Hajraf stated that this targeting is a cowardly terrorist attack and a war crime that endangers the lives of civilians, calling for holding the perpetrators accountable in accordance with international humanitarian law.

He praised the vigilance and efficiency of the forces of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in intercepting the booby-trapped drone towards the airport.

The GCC expressed full solidarity and firm standing with the Kingdom in all the measures it takes to defend its territories and preserve its security and safety of its citizens and residents.

Meanwhile, Jordan strongly condemned the repeated attacks launched by Houthi militia with booby-trapped drones and ballistic missiles, citing the recent attempt targeting Abha International Airport resulting in causalities among innocent civilians.

In a statement, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed Jordan's strong condemnation and denunciation of these cowardly terrorist acts, and the targeting of innocent civilians, which is contrary to all religious and humanitarian values, and constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

The ministry stressed that Jordan stands by the Kingdom in the face of whatever that threatens its security and people, citing that the security of the two countries is integral and indivisible, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Pakistan too strongly condemned the attempts of Houthi militia targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's territory with ballistic missiles and booby-trapped drones, citing the recent attempt on Abha International Airport, resulting in a number of casualties among innocent civilians.

A statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said that Pakistan wishes the injured a speedy recovery, condemns and denounces such attacks, describing them a violation of international law that threatens the security and safety of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region as a whole.

The statement added that Pakistan reaffirms its full support for and solidarity with the Kingdom against any threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. — SPA