President Dr. Irfaan Ali has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy following attacks against Saudi Arabia, warning that escalating aggression threatens human lives and undermines prospects for lasting peace in the Middle East.
His condemnation comes amid repeated attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, including an October 10 strike claimed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement which killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. Another attack on October 11 killed one person and injured 11 others, according to Saudi authorities cited by Reuters.
“I strongly condemn the recent attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These acts of aggression have adversely affected operations at Riyadh Airport and threaten the safety, stability and security of the Kingdom,” Ali said in his statement.
The President expressed Guyana’s solidarity with the Saudi Government and people, while urging all concerned to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation.
He said Guyana deplores acts of aggression which endanger lives, undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and jeopardise regional and international peace and security.
“Such actions are counterproductive, deepen tensions and hostility, and take us further away from the goal of a peaceful and stable Middle East,” he stated.
Deadly attacks disrupt travel
The October 10 attack struck an airport departure terminal. Reuters reported that footage showed passengers, many dressed in the white garments worn by Muslim pilgrims travelling to Mecca, at the time of the blast.
In the subsequent October 11 incident, Saudi-led coalition forces said an unidentified projectile struck Terminal Four and caused a fire. Saudi air defences also intercepted a cruise missile near the airport, according to the coalition.
The threat continued on Wednesday, October 14, when the Houthis vowed further attacks against Saudi airports and oil facilities. The group described its campaign as retaliation for Saudi strikes on Yemen, where the Kingdom supports government forces fighting the Houthis.
Reuters reported on Wednesday that authorities had closed Riyadh’s international airport until October 17. The Saudi-led coalition also reported intercepting a ballistic missile fired towards the capital that day.
The disruption has extended across Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, cited by the Associated Press on October 14, more than 3,000 scheduled departing flights across the Kingdom had been cancelled or listed as not operating during the preceding week.
Call for diplomacy
Ali urged an end to the violence through dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes, in keeping with the United Nations Charter and international law.
“There can be no lasting security in an environment of escalating aggression, nor any durable peace without a genuine willingness to resolve differences through peaceful means,” the President said.
He pledged Guyana’s wholehearted support for calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, restraint and a return to diplomacy.
“We urge all concerned to uphold international law and prevent a further escalation of hostilities, in the interest of regional stability and global security,” Ali stated.
