Riyadh: Houthi false accusations have no basis
Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the baseless claims and false accusations of the Houthi terrorist militia, which lack any foundation, and its involvement in regional conflicts to advance its sinister agenda and objectives. This has contributed to deepening the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people and threatening regional security and stability. It reaffirmed the Kingdom’s continued support for the Yemeni people and its legitimate government, as well as its taking of resolute measures to protect its security and vessels in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, reviewed on Tuesday the developments on the regional scene and their repercussions on international peace and security, emphasizing the importance of an immediate halt to all forms of military escalation to preserve the stability of the region’s countries and peoples.
On Monday evening, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), confirmed that Saudi Arabia has worked in recent years with the legitimate Yemeni government to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. It supported UN efforts to achieve peace in Yemen over the past years, including the roadmap approved by the Yemeni government but rejected by the Houthis, who have engaged in regional conflicts to advance their sinister agenda and objectives, thereby doubling the suffering of Yemeni citizens in areas under their control.
The statement recalled the Houthi militia’s previous wide-ranging attacks targeting the Yemeni people and infrastructure, such as the strike on Aden Airport on December 30, 2020, which resulted in the death and injury of dozens of martyrs and wounded. It also noted the militia’s confiscation of four aircraft belonging to Yemenia Airways, which were detained at Sanaa Airport after transporting Yemeni pilgrims from Jeddah. The statement added that the militia dragged Yemen into regional conflicts and targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea.
It pointed out that the militia is now attempting to export its economic problems and the popular rejection of its crimes and violations by fabricating false accusations and directing them at Saudi Arabia, whose position aims to bring peace to Yemen and end the suffering of its people.
For his part, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, the official spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, announced that the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition is taking and implementing all resolute and strict operational measures in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to protect its maritime vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
In a statement reported by SPA, he clarified that claims regarding the closure of Yemeni ports and airports are part of Houthi falsehoods and escalation against the Yemeni government and neighboring countries. He described the Houthi narrative regarding the blockade as misleading, noting that more than 300 commercial vessels entered the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Issa during the first half of 2026, carrying various food items, goods, fuel, and construction materials. He stated that the Houthi militia is responsible for closing Sanaa International Airport and destroying Yemenia aircraft, and that it rejected all initiatives to resume flights to and from the airport.
Al-Maliki affirmed that the Coalition’s Joint Forces Command has begun implementing measures to protect coalition vessels through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and that threats against transiting ships by the Houthis will be met with firmness and strength, as these threats constitute a clear violation of international law and fall under acts of maritime piracy.
In response to the Houthi claims, a wave of condemnations rejecting these accusations has intensified, denouncing them as a “desperate attempt to distort the facts and evade responsibility for the catastrophic situation the militia has brought upon the Yemeni people.”
Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi stated that the Houthi militia had turned its controlled areas in the country into the worst places to live on Earth, while emphasizing that “the policy of blackmail, threats, and intimidation has ended.”
He stressed the importance of maintaining unity and raising readiness levels to confront what he described as the Houthi group’s continuous escalation.
He further emphasized that “any peace process in Yemen must be based on addressing the root causes of the crisis, strengthening the role of state institutions, and ending the presence of any armed formations outside their framework,” noting the government’s openness to initiatives that contribute to ending suffering and achieving peace.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassem al-Buaidi expressed his strongest condemnation and disapproval of statements issued by the Houthi military spokesperson, which contained baseless claims against Saudi Arabia and accusations lacking any foundation, in a “desperate and blatant attempt to distort the facts and shirk responsibility for the practices adopted by the group, which have contributed to deepening the suffering of the Yemeni people and threatening the security and stability of the region.”
Al-Buaidi called on the international community to take a firm stance against these false Houthi claims and threats, and to work on implementing Security Council resolutions, ensuring the protection of maritime navigation and preventing any practices that endanger the security of international sea lanes. He reaffirmed the GCC’s full support for Saudi Arabia and its backing of all measures taken to protect the kingdom’s security, sovereignty, and interests.
Qatar also strongly condemned the Houthi statements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 concerning the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
In the same vein, Bahrain reiterated its firm position of full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, affirming that “the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of the Kingdom of Bahrain,” and emphasizing its full support for Saudi measures to safeguard the kingdom’s sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity.
Jordan expressed its absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for every step taken to protect the kingdom’s sovereignty and security.
In this context, Admiral Vassilis Grigarios, Commander of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Aspides, confirmed that the Houthis “continue to pose a threat to maritime navigation,” while stressing that the European force “is present and ready to execute its mandate” and deter the rebel group’s attacks on commercial vessels.
In an interview with Al Arabiya/Al Hadath, he emphasized that “maritime security, freedom of navigation, and the protection of global trade require continuous vigilance, a reliable presence, and international cooperation.”
