Condemnations continue over Houthi attacks on economic assets and infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia

Arab and international condemnations of the Houthi terrorist attacks on civilian and economic targets in southern Saudi Arabia continued. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The two sides reviewed the cooperative relations between their countries and ways to support and strengthen them, as well as the latest regional developments, particularly diplomatic efforts and joint coordination to de-escalate tensions and enhance security and stability in the region.

During the call, bin Abdulrahman expressed Qatar’s condemnation of the Houthi militia’s targeting of civilian and economic assets in southern Saudi Arabia, and reaffirmed his country’s support for all diplomatic efforts and initiatives aimed at securing a solution that guarantees freedom of maritime navigation and paves the way for a comprehensive agreement that achieves sustainable peace in the region.

In a related development, the Saudi Foreign Minister discussed with his Omani counterpart, Mr. Badr Al Busaidi, the latest developments in the region and the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of maritime navigation, as well as supporting diplomatic solutions aimed at de-escalation and enhancing regional security and stability.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated in a press release that this discussion took place during a phone call received by Prince Faisal bin Farhan from Al Busaidi, during which the Omani minister expressed his country’s condemnation and solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the brutal attacks targeting civilian and economic facilities in southern Saudi Arabia. The ministry added that the two sides discussed the latest regional developments and the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of maritime navigation, as well as supporting diplomatic solutions aimed at de-escalation and enhancing regional security and stability.

For its part, the United Kingdom strongly condemned the Houthi militia’s attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian infrastructure and energy facilities. In a statement, the British Foreign Office expressed sympathy for the victims and those affected by the recent attacks, emphasizing the UK’s support for Saudi Arabia, regional partners, and the internationally recognized Yemeni government. It placed full responsibility for the new crisis on the Houthis, noting that their decision to resume conflict in Yemen poses risks to the lives of Yemenis and exacerbates the humanitarian suffering of the most vulnerable and needy populations in the country, calling on them to immediately halt this escalation.

The statement warned that Houthi attacks threaten broader regional stability, particularly freedom of maritime navigation and vital trade routes through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, while affirming the right of the Saudi and Yemeni governments to defend their security and sovereignty in accordance with international law. It noted that the UK is working with its partners to support regional stability, protect all civilians, and ensure the delivery and support of humanitarian aid in Yemen.

Meanwhile, the official spokesperson for the Coalition Forces (Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen), Major General Turki Al Maliki, confirmed the “continued criminal aggression by the terrorist Houthi militia against national assets and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.” In a statement posted on his official Twitter account, Major General Al Maliki explained that “the continuation of these attacks confirms the terrorist Houthi militia’s approach and extremist ideology of escalation and targeting civilians in the Kingdom, as the militia carried out attacks on the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jizan using ballistic missiles and drones” on the evening of the day before yesterday.

He affirmed that the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition responded to these attacks “responsibly to protect the sovereignty of the Kingdom and its national assets, and to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure from these criminal attacks, in accordance with the principle of self-defense under international law and Article 51 of the UN Charter, and in compliance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.”