UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

Members of the United Nations Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing attacks launched by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including those that have caused harm to civilians and energy infrastructure. In a statement, the members expressed their solidarity with the Kingdom in the face of attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects within its territory, affirming its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with international law. The council members renewed their condemnation of missile attacks on the Kingdom, as well as attacks and threats against commercial navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the safety of commercial vessels and their crews, and respecting maritime rights and freedoms in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Earlier, Saudi Civil Defense announced that the danger had been averted in several Saudi provinces and cities following the activation of early warning sirens for emergency situations in Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Khamis Mushait, Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, Al-Ula, Jazan, Farsan, and Abha. Saudi Civil Defense activated warning sirens in Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Khamis Mushait, Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, Al-Ula, Jazan, Farsan, and Abha. For more details:

The UN Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing Houthi attacks and affirms Saudi Arabia’s inherent right to self-defense

Members of the UN Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing attacks launched by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including those affecting civilians and energy infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children.

They also condemned the Houthi militia’s military escalation in Yemen and its threats to commercial navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, emphasizing the need for full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015) and subsequent resolutions concerning the Yemeni situation.

In a statement issued late last night, Security Council members reaffirmed their support for the Government of Yemen and their strong commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The Council members referred to their statement of August 7, in which they condemned the Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia and attacks on commercial vessels, reiterating their condemnation of such attacks and threats to commercial navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and stressing the importance of safeguarding the safety of commercial ships and their crews.

They underscored the importance of acting in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and respecting maritime rights and freedoms.

The statement called on the Houthi militia to immediately cease its military escalation and attacks that affect civilians and civilian objects.

It stressed that the Houthi military escalation in Yemen, the continuation of attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the attacks and threats to international shipping in the Red Sea and the Houthis’ advances in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are all factors that threaten to expand the scope of the conflict, undermine maritime security and international trade, and derail regional and international efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.

The Council members expressed their solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of attacks affecting civilians and civilian objects within its territory, and affirmed its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with international law.

They also expressed deep concern over reports of civilian deaths and injuries, and the displacement of at least 125,000 people across Yemen since the beginning of September, according to the Office of the United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, as well as the destruction of civilian objects and infrastructure due to Houthi attacks. The statement affirmed that continued escalation will further exacerbate the already dire situation in Yemen and may lead to further displacement of civilians. They reaffirmed the obligations of parties to conflicts to facilitate and allow full, immediate, and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians in need of assistance, and to enhance the safety and security of relief workers, UN staff, and their partners.

They also reiterated their call for the safe, immediate, and unconditional release of detainees, including 73 UN personnel, staff of national and international non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions.

Security Council members affirmed that sustainable peace in Yemen cannot be achieved through coercion or the use of force, and reaffirmed their support for the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in his efforts to reach an inclusive, Yemeni-led and owned negotiated political settlement, based on the agreed references and in accordance with Security Council resolutions. They called on the parties to engage constructively with the UN’s efforts in this regard.

On the ground, Saudi Civil Defense announced that the danger had passed in several Saudi provinces and cities following the activation of early warning sirens for emergency situations in the cities of Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Abha, Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, Al-Ula, Jazan, Farsan, and Abha.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, Saudi Civil Defense issued a second warning of a threat to Riyadh, less than three hours after issuing its first warning in the capital since the start of the escalation by the Iran-backed Houthi militia of its attacks against the Kingdom.

Residents received messages on their mobile phones in the early hours of yesterday warning of an “enemy aerial attack on the area” and urging them to “remain calm.”

Authorities declared that the danger had passed after 10 minutes. Saudi Civil Defense stressed the need to avoid spreading rumors and unverified clips, emphasizing the importance of obtaining information from official sources.

In a statement, Civil Defense called for calm and immediate movement to the nearest safe place inside a building or an interior room away from windows, and to remain there until the danger has passed, without leaving the home or building, avoiding open areas and glass, and not standing on balconies or rooftops.

It confirmed that if outside, individuals should enter the nearest building or take cover behind a solid barrier, avoid gathering and photography entirely, and stay away from hazardous locations. While driving, it advised pulling over to the side of the road, away from bridges and tall buildings.

It also urged the public to call the emergency number (998) upon detecting any danger and to follow instructions issued by the competent authorities through official channels.

This comes after the terrorist Houthi militia attempted to target the Holy City of Mecca with a drone, sparking widespread condemnation across the Islamic world and globally.