Nigeria condemns Houthi attack on Riyadh airport, cites 12 dead, over 300 injured
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned a Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that reportedly killed 12 civilians and injured more than 300 people. The statement, issued on Sunday, said a projectile struck the airport, sparking a fire in a passenger hall. While Saudi authorities said the strike occurred on Sunday, the government's condolence message referenced 'Saturday's attack,' indicating some discrepancy in timing reports. Nigeria described the attack as a dangerous escalation that violated Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and undermined regional peace efforts. It expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, offered condolences to the families of the dead, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Abuja urged all parties to respect international law, exercise restraint, and avoid actions that endanger civilians or damage civilian infrastructure. The ministry also commended Saudi emergency responders for protecting lives and reaffirmed Nigeria's support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East. The attack comes amid further strikes on Riyadh, with the Houthis warning airlines to avoid Saudi airspace. International reactions included condemnations from the US, UK and others, with the Saudi-led coalition labeling the strike a war crime. For Nigerians, the attack highlights risks to citizens working or traveling in the Gulf and underscores Nigeria's role in calling for restraint, which could affect diplomatic relations and regional stability. Will you consider checking travel advisories if you have family or business ties in Saudi Arabia, or do you trust diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation?