Zaqy on Saudi airport attacks: Targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure ‘cannot be justified’

The latest attack was a Houthi strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Oct 10. It killed 12 people and wounded more than 300. The attack was described as the deadliest in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade. It matters because an airport is civilian infrastructure used by travellers, workers, and pilgrims.

The Houthis also warned airlines, travellers, and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports on Oct 11. The warning came after the strike and added to the immediate safety concerns surrounding air travel. Zaqy Mohamad said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure cannot be justified.

The attack caused further travel disruption in Saudi Arabia. Zaqy expressed condolences and urged Singaporeans and pilgrims to remain vigilant, follow MFA travel advisories, and eRegister with MFA. The wider violence is linked to the Yemen war and broader conflict in the Middle East.

The latest strike killed 12 people and wounded more than 300 others. That scale made it the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade. The figures show why the attack triggered strong concern in Singapore and across the region, especially among people travelling through Saudi airports.

Riyadh’s international airport had been attacked three times within one week, including the Oct 10 strike. The article identifies the attackers as the Iran-backed Houthi militant group. The repeated attacks affected civilian aviation infrastructure, rather than being described as an isolated incident.

The pattern increased travel disruption and safety concerns. On Oct 11, the Houthis warned airlines, travellers, and airport workers to avoid Saudi airports. Singapore’s MFA had already condemned attacks on civilian aviation infrastructure and advised Singaporeans to take precautions and follow travel advisories.

The Houthis are a Yemeni armed movement with political and military power in parts of Yemen. The article identifies them as Iran-backed and describes them as a militant group. They are one of the main parties in Yemen’s long-running civil war, which has drawn in regional powers and contributed to wider Middle East tensions.

In the article, their role is shown through attacks beyond Yemen. They struck Riyadh’s international airport on Oct 10 and warned airlines, travellers, and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports. These actions connected the Yemen conflict directly to civilian aviation in Saudi Arabia.

The attacks intensified regional insecurity and disrupted travel. They also prompted condemnation from Singapore’s MFA and criticism from Zaqy Mohamad, who said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure cannot be justified. The article gives no indication that the violence is ending, while calling for peace and stability.

Airports are civilian infrastructure because ordinary people use them for travel, work, family visits, and essential journeys. They are especially important during conflict because disrupting them can isolate communities, interrupt movement, and create fear far beyond the attack site. The article shows this impact through worsening travel disruption in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh’s airport was attacked three times in one week. The latest strike killed 12 people and wounded more than 300. The Houthis then warned airlines, travellers, and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports. This illustrates the mechanism: an attack creates direct casualties, while threats can also reduce airport operations and confidence in flying.

The consequences reach international travellers and pilgrims. Singaporeans were urged to remain vigilant, follow MFA advice, and eRegister. Zaqy Mohamad said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure cannot be justified. Protecting such sites helps preserve safety, mobility, and access to important destinations during crises.

The attacks created both immediate danger and wider travel disruption. The latest strike killed 12 people and wounded more than 300, while repeated attacks on Riyadh’s airport threatened civilian aviation. The Houthis warned airlines, travellers, and airport workers to stay away from Saudi airports, directly affecting airport operations and travel decisions.

Singaporeans were urged to remain vigilant, follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel advisories, and eRegister with MFA. In April, MFA had advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia except Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina, where it said the security situation remained stable. Travellers to those cities were still told to take precautions.

The attacks were especially serious for Muslim pilgrims travelling for umrah. People planning the pilgrimage, or worried about loved ones in Saudi Arabia, faced uncertainty over safety and access. The continuing warnings meant airlines, workers, Singaporeans, and pilgrims had to monitor developments closely before travelling.

Mecca and Medina are especially relevant because the article identifies them as the two holiest cities in Islam. Saudi Arabia is also a destination for Singaporean Muslims performing umrah, the voluntary minor Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. Any airport attack therefore raises concerns about religious travel, family safety, and access to important holy sites.

Zaqy Mohamad specifically addressed Singaporeans with loved ones in Saudi Arabia or plans to perform umrah. He urged Singaporeans, including pilgrims already there, to remain vigilant, follow MFA travel advisories, and eRegister with MFA. These measures help authorities share updates and help travellers plan more safely.

MFA had advised Singaporeans to defer travel to Saudi Arabia except Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina, where it said security remained stable. Even travellers to those cities were told to take necessary precautions. The airport attacks made this guidance more urgent and added to uncertainty around pilgrimage travel.

The central principle is distinction. Parties to a conflict must distinguish between military objectives and civilians or civilian objects, such as airports used for civilian aviation. Civilians may not be directly attacked, and civilian objects may not be targeted unless they become military objectives under the law. This protects people and essential services during war.

Other principles also apply. Proportionality prohibits an attack expected to cause excessive civilian harm compared with the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. Precaution requires attackers to verify targets, choose means and methods that reduce civilian harm, and cancel or suspend an attack when required. Attacks that spread terror among civilians are also prohibited.

Applied to this article, Riyadh’s international airport was described as civilian aviation infrastructure. The reported deaths, injuries, and disruption explain why Zaqy said such attacks cannot be justified. A legal assessment would require facts not provided here, including the airport’s status and the attackers’ purpose.