OTTAWA — Following consecutive Houthi missile strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Canadian government has issued an official advisory warning against all travel to the facility and urging Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia.
The urgent travel warning follows a weekend of escalating regional violence. A Saturday missile attack on a Riyadh passenger terminal killed 12 people and injured hundreds, while a second projectile struck the same terminal on Sunday. The airport remained closed to commercial traffic through the weekend.
Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jean-Philippe Linteau confirmed in a Sunday video message that the embassy in Riyadh remains open to provide consular assistance. He advised Canadians in the area to immediately walk away from any military debris they encounter and to refrain from posting about it on social media.
Prime Minister Mark Carney strongly condemned the strikes late Saturday night, describing the targeting of civilian infrastructure as “abhorrent” and completely unjustified. “Canada condemns these reckless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms,” Carney stated, extending his condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a full recovery to the wounded.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand also confirmed she had spoken directly with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud to convey Canada’s “unwavering support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity.”
The attacks mark a significant escalation in the broader regional conflict involving Iran. The latest Riyadh strike occurred shortly after Houthi rebels blamed Saudi forces for an attack on the airport in Sanaa, Yemen. As the violence intensifies, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he is weighing military action against the Houthis.
Emphasizing the geopolitical stakes, Jeffrey Steiner, head of the Canada-Saudi Business Council, noted that Ottawa’s swift condemnation of the violence is a crucial step in maintaining strong, long-term ties with a key economic and security partner in the Middle East.
Courtesy: globalnews
Post Disclaimer
The views and content presented in this article, news report, or video are solely those of the respective author or creator and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BW Times Digital Online E-Paper.
Leave a comment