Saudi Arabia: "The Houthis have opened a door they cannot bear"

Washington – Agencies: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan affirmed that the Kingdom will not hesitate to defend itself against any aggression, stressing that it will employ all available means to protect its interests, while keeping the door open for diplomatic solutions to address the Houthi group. Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated that Saudi Arabia “will not hesitate to support what achieves the interests of Yemen and the region,” reiterating that the Kingdom will use every available means to protect its interests and defend itself against attacks.

Regarding the Houthi escalation, the Saudi Foreign Minister said that “the Houthis have opened a door they cannot bear,” noting that the group is attempting to export its internal problems in Yemen to Saudi Arabia. He added that the Houthis resort to violence whenever they find themselves in a difficult position, pointing out that the group insists on imposing further suffering on the Yemeni people rather than responsibly engaging in the political process. Nevertheless, Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized that the path for diplomacy to deal with the Houthis remains open, reaffirming the continued possibility of resorting to political solutions to resolve the crisis. He clarified that the legitimate Yemeni government has provided an opportunity for negotiations with the Houthis in a responsible manner, but according to the Saudi Foreign Minister, the group prefers to prioritize its narrow personal interests over the interests of Yemen and its people.

For his part, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, the official spokesperson for the coalition forces “Alliance for Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen,” stated that “the escalation by the terrorist Houthi militia and its attempts to target the Kingdom, its national assets, citizens, and residents on its territory is a serious escalation that confirms the hostile and irresponsible approach of this terrorist militia.” Al-Maliki added in a statement via the “X” platform yesterday that “the reckless attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia, the latest of which targeted civilian and economic landmarks in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, resulting in the injury of 73 civilians, including women and children, constitute a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and a direct threat to the security and safety of its citizens and residents on its territory.”

He considered that “these heinous and unjustified attacks committed by the terrorist Houthi militia deliberately aim to damage the Kingdom’s national assets, infrastructure, and civilian landmarks, while also confirming its extremist criminal behavior that rejects achieving peace and stability in Yemen and its Arab and Islamic neighborhood.” Al-Maliki affirmed that “the leadership of the Joint Forces of the Coalition will take all necessary operational measures to deter this terrorist militia and confront its hostile approach with firmness, in defense of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, safeguarding its national assets, and ensuring the safety of its citizens and residents on its territory. It will also take all necessary measures and actions to respond to sources of threat and neutralize their danger.”