Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack" that hit Baghdad International Airport on Friday, according to a statement released by Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. The ministry stated in the statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) its "categorical rejection of this treacherous attack, which threatens the stability of the sisterly Republic of Iraq and the region, and the safety of air navigation in it." At least three rockets landed in the Baghdad International Airport compound and near an adjacent US air base, damaging one disused civilian airplane. The police sources did not report any other damage or any injuries. The damaged aircraft was an out of use Iraqi Airways plane, according to reports. The Kingdom's ministry said that the incident "undermines the efforts of the international coalition to help Iraq fight terrorism," in the original statement on SPA report. The Foreign Ministry reiterated its "full support for the sisterly Republic of Iraq in the measures it takes to protect its security, and its affirmation of the Kingdom's position rejecting all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism," according to SPA. Rocket attacks, which US and some Iraqi officials blame on Iran-backed militia groups who oppose the US military presence in the region, have regularly hit the complex in recent years. Iraq's state news agency reported, citing the country's aviation authority, that there was no disruption to travel. The Foreign Ministry of Egypt too deeply condemned Friday's missile shelling of Baghdad International Airport, which resulted in material damage. In a statement, the ministry said such attacks constitute a direct threat to Iraq's stability and undermine the freedom of air navigation. It also asserted Egypt's full solidarity with Iraq in all measures taken by the country to preserve its security and stability, the statement added. The rocket attack targeting the Baghdad International Airport on Friday was aimed at isolating Iraq internationally by undermining its reputation, Iraqi officials said. The rocket attack on the airport "represents a new attempt to undermine Iraq's reputation, which we have endeavored to restore regionally and internationally, through endangering international flight standards at Iraqi airports and spreading an atmosphere of suspicion about internal security," Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhemi was quoted as saying in a statement by his media office. Al-Kadhemi called upon all political parties to "express their clear rejection and condemnation of this dangerous attack, as silence on such attacks is a political shelter for criminals," according to the statement. The prime minister also urged the international community "not to impose restrictions on travel or air transportation to and from Iraq" as part of the efforts to "deter terrorists from achieving their goal." No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but militias frequently target Iraqi military bases housing US military advisors across Iraq, as well as the US embassy in Baghdad. Flights have resumed at all airports around the country, including Baghdad International Airport, according to the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority. Following the attack, the Sadrist bloc, led by famous Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, promised in a tweet to "free Iraq from terrorism and uncontrolled weaponry." In a separate tweet, Hassan Al-Adhari, head of the Sadrist Movement, said targeting "government facilities, in particular Baghdad International Airport, is one of the actions of Iraq's enemies who seek to isolate Iraq internationally and economically." In a statement, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq voiced its great concern regarding the ongoing wave of attacks in Iraq targeting political party offices, residences, and businesses, including the recent rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport. The statement urged all the Iraqi parties "to move beyond condemnations and swiftly pull together to expose those behind it (attack)." In Cairo, the Arab Parliament condemned the targeting of Baghdad Airport with missile strikes, which resulted in damage to a number of airplanes. Parliament warned in a statement Friday of the danger of these attacks targeting civilian facilities and infrastructure in Iraq, as they represent a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Iraqi state, and undermine the chances of restoring security and stability. It considered the targeting of Baghdad airport a dangerous indication of the escalation of terrorist operations, which harms air traffic and passengers, endangers the lives of civilians and innocents, and represents a clear threat to the stability of Iraq and the capabilities of its people. The Arab Parliament also called on the Iraqi parties to show solidarity and stand united in the face of terrorism. — Agencies
