As Houthis ramp up attack on Saudi Arabia, eight Dhaka flights to Riyadh are cancelled
Eight flights involving Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia were cancelled on Sunday following the closure of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport after a Houthi attack on October 10, which left two Bangladeshis dead.
The airport was scheduled to remain closed until 3am Bangladesh time.
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) public relations official Kausar confirmed the cancellations.
The affected flights included two operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, one by US-Bangla Airlines, three by Saudia Airlines and two by Riyadh Air.
The disruptions affected 2,951 passengers in Dhaka.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has advised affected passengers not to proceed to the airport until further notice.
The airline said it would provide updates on rescheduling and flight status through its official website and communication channels.
Two Bangladeshis killed, four in ICU: Shama Obaed
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said two Bangladeshis were killed and four others are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital following an attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The State Minister said the government is working to identify the deceased, determine their districts of origin and collect information about their families so that they could be contacted without delay.
“Our mission is working closely with the Saudi government to identify those killed and injured, as nationals of many countries have been affected amid the conflict situation,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Shama said the identities of the four Bangladeshis undergoing treatment in the ICU at King Khalid Hospital are being verified, a process that could take time.
She said Bangladesh's missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are maintaining close contact with Saudi authorities and relevant ministries to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi nationals.
The missions are also in touch with other Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, monitoring their conditions and providing necessary safety guidelines, she added.
Expressing concern over the loss of lives of Bangladeshis, the State Minister said it is particularly painful that people who went abroad in search of livelihoods and worked hard to support their families had become victims of the conflict.
“These are our remittance warriors who leave their families behind, work hard and send money home,” she said hoping that the war and attacks would stop and no further casualties would be reported.
She reiterated that the safety, security and well-being of expatriate Bangladeshis has been the government's top priority since it assumed office.
Regarding the repatriation of the deceased, Shama Obaed said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment are working jointly to provide all necessary support to the affected families.
She said the government routinely bears the expenses of repatriating the remains of Bangladeshi citizens who die abroad, and the same arrangement would apply in this case.
However, she said the government has received no information indicating that any specific Bangladeshi airline or flight has been damaged or directly affected by the attack.
Bangladesh condemns attack
Bangladesh has strongly condemned the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed two Bangladeshi nationals and left numerous others injured, many critically, the foreign ministry said.
The Bangladesh mission in Riyadh is in contact with Saudi authorities to obtain details of the deceased and injured Bangladeshis and facilitate necessary assistance.
Bangladesh extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished all those injured a swift and full recovery.
"Attacks endangering civilian lives and targeting civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must cease immediately," the ministry said.
Bangladesh reiterated its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Multiple countries and world leaders condemned Saturday's attack on Riyadh's international airport.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said he was "deeply shocked" by the attacks, which he called "a violation of international law".
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif condemned the "heinous attack" and called it a "serious threat to regional peace and stability".
Egypt said it "stands firmly" with Saudi Arabia, expressing "strong condemnation" of the "continued attacks on the territory".
Embassies issue warnings
Embassies of different countries warned their citizens about using airports in the Gulf nation.
The US embassy in Saudi Arabia warned government employees that they needed special authorisation to use King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as the airports in Jeddah and Dammam.
The Australian embassy in Saudi Arabia advised members of its community to "shelter in place until further notice".
The UK Foreign Office advised against all travel to parts of Saudi Arabia.
Not since the al-Qaeda insurgency of the mid-2000s has the kingdom faced such a serious threat.
Houthis warn against using Saudi airports; Mecca, Medina exempted
Yemen's Houthis issued a new warning to all airline companies not to use Saudi airports, the BBC reported.
In a statement, the group "reiterate[d] their warning... against using Saudi airports and airspace".
This is because "they are potential targets and sites for operations by our forces".
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Mecca and Medina were exempted from this warning.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, vice-president of Yemen's internationally recognised government, called for "decisive actions" from regional and international partners.
The attack on the international airport in Riyadh "demands a firm regional and international position that goes beyond statements of condemnation to practical measures", he said.