The first comment and “apology” from Sawiris regarding the Houthi attack on Riyadh Airport

On Monday, Saudi businesswoman Wafaa Al-Rasheed criticized Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris for not commenting on the casualties in the attack that targeted King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Saturday, which prompted Sawiris to respond with an apology and affirm his solidarity with the Saudi people. Al-Rasheed previously said, in a blog post on the “X” platform, Twitter: “Not a word was said about our dead in Riyadh... as if our blood did not deserve even a word of condolence!”

What a miserable situation when the masks fall and silence regarding the lives of innocent people becomes a testimony to the bankruptcy of conscience! Sawiris responded to Al-Rashid in a blog post on his account on the “X” platform, saying: “I apologize for the delay.

May God have mercy on the innocent dead, including the Egyptian hostess. Condolences to you and may the aggressor perish. We in Egypt are with you heart and soul, and our love for the Saudi people is in all our hearts.”

He added: "Once again, I apologize and affirm my full solidarity and my call for a unified Arab position that rises above differences and confronts the Iranian enemy without delay or abandonment." Sawiris called for taking diplomatic measures against Tehran, saying: "The first and least of which is to sever relations with it and expel Iranian ambassadors from our entire country."

In another post, Sawiris attacked the Yemeni Houthi group, in response to a post regarding the group’s claim of responsibility for the attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, saying: “You and your employer have lost,” in reference to the Houthis and the party supporting them. The attack that targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, on Saturday, killed 12 people and injured 309 others, according to the toll announced by the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation.

Among the dead was Egyptian flight attendant Azza Ramzy Mohamed Hassan, whose death was announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a result of the attack, confirming that it was following up on the procedures for transporting her body to Egypt and providing the necessary care for the injured Egyptians. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, affirming Cairo's solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support in maintaining its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens.