On October 11, 2026, the foreign ministries of Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan released a joint statement. The four countries, referred to in the statement as the "R4 group", came together to denounce recent hostile actions by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia.
The joint statement specifically addressed strikes on King Khalid International Airport, located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It described the attacks as targeting the airport and causing harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure. The statement noted that the airport was hit in a manner that led to loss of life, injuries and damage to facilities.
The airport attacks resulted in the deaths of 13 people and left over 300 individuals injured. These figures were presented as part of the context for the condemnation, indicating the scale of the human cost associated with the strikes.
This broader campaign is said to be a response to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Beyond the airport, the statement placed the attacks within a wider pattern of Houthi behavior. It noted that the Houthis, described as being supported by Iran, have also targeted commercial ships and have fired missiles and drones at southern Israeli cities. This broader campaign is said to be a response to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The brief explicitly links the Houthis to Iranian support, stating that the group is "supported by Iran". The statement reflects this characterization in the context of describing the Houthi network's activities and regional dynamics.
The joint statement declares that the Houthi attacks constitute "a clear violation of international law" and an infringement upon Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It argues that such actions threaten the security and stability of the kingdom and are therefore unacceptable under any pretext.
Finally, the statement demands the immediate and unconditional cessation of all Houthi attacks. It holds the Houthis fully responsible for the consequences of their actions and warns of negative repercussions for regional and international peace. At the same time, the four nations reaffirm their support for Saudi Arabia’s legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter and international law.