ع
The Omani Foreign Ministry reported that Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday in which he expressed the Sultanate’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia. Al Busaidi rejected attacks on civilian facilities or any threats to the Kingdom’s security and the safety of civilians during the exchange. The two ministers affirmed the importance of continued coordination and consultation while strengthening efforts to contain tensions and promote de-escalation that could lead to political dialogue and peaceful resolutions across the region.
This latest outreach followed a formal statement issued by the Omani Foreign Ministry on October 8 that explicitly condemned the targeting of Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport. According to the ministry, the strikes resulted in deaths, injuries and material damage while Oman reiterated its categorical rejection of actions that endanger civilian lives or Saudi security. The statement also called for wisdom and restraint to avoid any escalation that could undermine regional stability and extended condolences to the victims’ families along with wishes for the injured to recover swiftly.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that the attacks between October 6 and 7 killed three people and injured 36 others across the two sites. Two female residents of Moroccan and Algerian nationality died at Abha International Airport where 28 additional people sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. A Sudanese national lost his life at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with eight more individuals wounded in that incident that also caused property damage.[[1]](https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/three-killed-36-injured-in-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-arabias-abha-riyadh-airports-1.500702313)
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the strikes on the airports as well as other targets in the Kingdom according to multiple regional reports. The incidents prompted flight disruptions and cancellations particularly around Riyadh as authorities assessed safety and damage at the facilities. Air travel to and from the capital remained affected in the days immediately afterward with security warnings issued in response to the events.[[2]](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/gulf/houthi-attacks-saudi-airports-flight-disruptions-key-events)
The General Secretariat of the Arab Interior Ministers Council separately condemned the Houthi militia’s actions from its headquarters in Tunis describing them as a violation of international law. The council expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for steps the Kingdom takes to safeguard its security and citizens according to its statement. This broader Arab position aligns with Oman’s diplomatic messaging in emphasizing protection of civilian infrastructure and regional stability.
Oman’s consistent advocacy for de-escalation in Gulf crises has shaped its response to the airport incidents as reflected in both the formal statement and the ministerial call. The Sultanate and Saudi Arabia maintain close coordination within the Gulf Cooperation Council on security matters that affect shared interests across the peninsula. Both sides continue to monitor developments as Saudi officials work to restore full operations at the affected airports following the attacks.
