The military coalition led by Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government recognized by the international community, has described this Sunday as a "terrorist act" the attack launched by the Houthi insurgency against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The attack has caused at least twelve fatalities and more than 300 injuries, and the bloc has warned that it will respond to the aggression "firmly".
The spokesman for the coalition, Turki al Maliki, has emphasized that Houthi offensives against the population and civilian infrastructure "will be responded to firmly" and has underscored that the operation clearly violates International Humanitarian Law.
"The attack perpetrated by the Houthi militia constitutes a full-fledged war crime according to International Humanitarian Law and its customary norms, as well as an atrocious act that contravenes principles, values, and ethics," states the statement.
The coalition command has insisted that any military retaliation will be carried out strictly respecting the customary rules of war, with the aim of holding accountable those responsible for the attack against the Saudi capital.
"Therefore, the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will respond to this terrorist attack firmly and in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and its customary norms," it concluded.
This incident has become the deadliest attack recorded in Saudi territory since Saudi Arabia and its partners in Yemen launched a broad military offensive against the Houthi rebels last weekend, amid an escalation of the conflict in the area.
On Thursday, October 8, the Houthis had already attacked the facilities of this same airport and a Saudi Arabian Airlines plane, an assault that left three people dead and several injured.