ANKARA — Türkiye on Friday issued a strong and unequivocal condemnation regarding recent Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting two major civilian airports in Saudi Arabia, warning that strikes aimed at civilian populations and critical infrastructure significantly heighten the risk of deeper regional instability while reaffirming its steadfast solidarity with Riyadh.
In an official and comprehensive statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ankara formally denounced the hostile operations directed against Abha International Airport, located in the southern region of the kingdom, as well as King Khalid International Airport, situated in the capital city of Riyadh. The targeted facilities serve millions of domestic and international travelers annually, rendering them vital nodes of civil aviation and economic connectivity within the Arabian Peninsula.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry extended its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the assaults and offered sincere wishes for a rapid and complete recovery to the individuals who sustained injuries during the incidents. Throughout the diplomatic communication, the ministry underscored the humanitarian cost of the violence, emphasizing that ordinary civilians bearing the brunt of these hostile acts remains a deeply concerning development for regional security.
Calling for an immediate halt to the ongoing hostilities, Ankara warned that persistent attacks on civilian zones and essential infrastructure could trigger an uncontrollable cycle of escalation across the broader Middle East.
"These attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure and leading to a further escalation of tensions in the region must cease immediately," the ministry emphasized in its strongly worded public declaration.
Reaffirming its long-standing diplomatic and geopolitical ties with Saudi Arabia, the Turkish government highlighted the critical necessity of pursuing peaceful avenues to resolve long-standing regional disputes and conflicts. The ministry noted that military escalations and the targeting of non-military assets only serve to deepen existing divides, making a political settlement increasingly difficult to achieve.
"We once again emphasize our full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reiterate our call for existing disputes to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy," the ministry added, signaling Ankara’s continuous willingness to support diplomatic frameworks aimed at restoring regional calm.
In a separate yet equally firm reaction, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also condemned the strikes, characterizing them as entirely unacceptable acts that pose a direct threat to regional peace, security, and long-term stability. Duran pointed out that the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure represents a blatant violation of international norms and principles governing the protection of non-combatants during periods of armed conflict.
Duran reiterated that the attacks, which unfortunately resulted in civilian casualties and numerous injuries, possess the dangerous potential to fuel wider tensions and undermine ongoing diplomatic initiatives designed to pacify volatile flashpoints throughout the region.
"These attacks, which have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, are unacceptable acts that threaten peace and stability in the region and escalate tensions," Duran stated.
Expanding upon Türkiye’s broader diplomatic posture, the communications director emphasized that Ankara, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, remains deeply committed to preventing the eruption of new conflicts while actively promoting constructive, diplomatic solutions to intractable regional disputes. He noted that Turkish foreign policy continues to prioritize cooperation, de-escalation, and the protection of civilian life across all neighboring regions.
Concluding his remarks, the communications director echoed the sentiments expressed by the Foreign Ministry, reiterating Ankara’s unwavering solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia. He once again offered formal condolences to the grieving families affected by the tragedy and wished the injured individuals a swift return to health as diplomatic channels continue to monitor the evolving security situation on the ground.