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Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply shocked by and strongly condemns” a Houthi missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed at least 12 people and injured nearly 310 others, some critically, on Saturday.
The dead included four Saudi nationals, one US citizen, and citizens of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. The New York Times described it as the deadliest attack on an Arab country in the region since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran in February. Two days before Saturday’s strike, a separate attack on the same airport on 8 October killed three people — among them a Saudia pilot — and injured several others, disrupting airport operations.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and express our sincere sympathy to all those affected by this tragic incident,” the ministry said in a statement. “We wish the injured a swift and full recovery and reaffirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The ministry was unambiguous in its legal characterisation of the strikes. “Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure constitute a serious violation of international law and must cease immediately,” it said, adding that the protection of civilian lives and critical infrastructure “must remain an absolute priority.”
Tashkent called for an immediate end to such attacks and urged “all parties to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation and resolve differences through dialogue and diplomatic means, in accordance with international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
The statement closed with an expression of solidarity: “The Republic of Uzbekistan expresses its sincere solidarity with the brotherly people and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reiterates its commitment to peace, stability and security in the region.”
The condemnation followed a practical warning issued a day earlier. On 9 October, the Uzbek embassy in Saudi Arabia advised its citizens to expect possible flight delays and route changes amid regional tensions, and urged them to avoid areas near the Yemeni border and to follow instructions from local authorities.