Dhaka: Bangladesh has expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the face of recent attacks and conveyed condolences over the loss of lives, and called for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.
State minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed conveyed the message when Saudi ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah bin Zafer Abiyah paid a courtesy call on her at the foreign ministry on Tuesday.
Shama Obaed sought Saudi Arabia’s assistance in expediting the repatriation of the mortal remains of two Bangladeshi nationals and expressed appreciation for the care provided to injured Bangladeshis.
The Saudi envoy thanked Bangladesh for its solidarity and support.
The two Bangladeshis killed in a missile attack by the Houthis at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday are Md Shahed Ahmed, son of Rafiqul Islam and Shahera Begum from village Madla of Shahjahanpur, Bogura and Nasrullah Badarpuri, son of Mohammad Ullah and Jahanara from Badarpur village under Nangalkot, Cumilla.
Besides, at least 24 Bangladeshis injured in the attacks are undergoing treatment in the Saudi hospitals.
Since Saturday, at least 62 flights from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia have been suspended as the operations at the Riyadh airport have remained suspended.
This resulted in thousands of Bangladeshis stranded in both countries.
The situation raised fears about the guarantee of their job visas in the Kingdom where more than two million Bangladeshis work.
