Indonesia condemns attacks on civilians amid Houthi-Saudi tensions

Photo caption: Logo of Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (ANTARA/Ist)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has strongly condemned attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure amid a recent escalation in cross-border strikes involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia.

“Indonesia strongly condemns all attacks on civilians and civilian objects and stresses the need to protect civilians from armed conflict,” the Foreign Ministry said in a social media post on Tuesday.

Indonesia expressed concern over attacks targeting airports that have caused deaths, disrupted civil aviation and seriously threatened flight safety.

It also voiced concern over rising civilian casualties and the worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen amid the escalation of armed conflict.

The ministry said Indonesia extended its deepest condolences to families of those killed and hoped the injured would recover soon.

Indonesia again urged all parties to halt attacks and retaliatory actions and exercise maximum restraint. It called on all parties to uphold international law, particularly international humanitarian law, and ensure their actions comply with both.

Indonesia also stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region.

“All parties must prioritize dialogue and diplomacy to ease tensions and achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the ministry said.

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated as fighting intensifies between Yemen’s Houthis and government forces backed by Saudi Arabia, particularly near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Three people were killed and 36 injured in Houthi attacks on two Saudi airports on October 6 and 7, Saudi authorities said, according to Xinhua.

Yemen’s Houthi movement said it had launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks targeting several airports and military sites in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said the attacks targeted Abha International Airport in the southwest and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 6 and 7.