| UAE calls for stronger Gulf defence as allies back Saudi Arabia after Riyadh airport attacks |
Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President: "Gulf security is a shared responsibility that allows for no complacency or delay."
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UAE calls for stronger Gulf defence as allies back Saudi Arabia after Riyadh airport attacks
Story by Mohamed Elashi
13/10/2026
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: A senior UAE official called for stronger Gulf security and defence cooperation on Monday as regional governments backed Saudi Arabia following Houthi missile attacks that killed 14 people at Riyadh’s international airport over the weekend.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said attacks on Saudi Arabia undermined the security of the Emirates and every other Gulf state.
Writing on X, he warned that “we are all targeted” and said failures in collective defence had encouraged attacks on the region.
“Gulf security is a shared responsibility that allows no room for complacency or delay,” he said.
A general view of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.© Saudi Press Agency Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. The death toll rose from 12 after an injured Indian citizen died on Sunday, according to authorities.
A separate attack on Sunday killed a Pakistani national and injured 11, Saudi authorities said. Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility for both attacks.
Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan joined Saudi Arabia in a statement on Sunday condemning the attacks and supporting the kingdom’s right to defend itself.
The three backed Saudi measures to counter the attacks and prevent their recurrence, provided they complied with the UN Charter and international law, and demanded an immediate, unconditional end to Houthi attacks and held the group responsible for their consequences.
Ankara, Cairo and Islamabad did not announce any new military deployment.
France also said on Sunday it would continue supporting the Gulf kingdom in defending its territory and infrastructure. Its foreign ministry said a French woman was among those wounded in Saturday’s attack.
Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday it remained ready to help mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers had discussed developments by telephone on Sunday. |
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