Saudi welcome for UN Security Council's condemnation of Houthi terrorist attacks

Saudi Arabia welcomed the presidential statement issued by the members of the UN Security Council regarding the attacks against the Kingdom, which included condemnation of the continuous and escalating attacks launched by the Houthi terrorist militia against the Kingdom, including attacks on civilian targets, airports, and energy infrastructure, as well as ongoing threats to navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement on Friday evening that “the Kingdom emphasizes the importance of the statement’s contents, including the emphasis on the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015) and subsequent resolutions, and the call for practical cooperation to prevent the Houthi terrorist group from acquiring weapons and other forms of support.”

It added that “the Kingdom appreciates the solidarity of Security Council members with it in the face of attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure on its territory, and reiterates its inherent right, guaranteed by international law, to take all necessary measures to defend its security and protect its citizens and residents.”

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi expressed “his appreciation for the position expressed by members of the UN Security Council in their presidential statement regarding the attacks launched by the Houthi terrorist militia against Saudi Arabia.”

He clarified that “the importance of the statement lies in affirming the responsibility of the international community to halt these violations and to prevent the Houthi militia from continuing to receive weapons and support that fuel its aggression.”

He affirmed that “the GCC views Saudi Arabia as a cornerstone of the shared Gulf security system, and that member states stand in a unified and decisive position alongside the Kingdom, supporting it in all measures it takes to defend its sovereignty, safeguard its security, and protect its citizens and residents on its territory.”

The UN Security Council had previously condemned, in a statement issued on Friday evening, “in the strongest terms the continuous and escalating attacks launched by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civil aviation and energy infrastructure, which resulted in the death and injury of civilians.”

In a related development, the Wall Street Journal cited sources stating that Iran provided the Houthis with information that contributed to targeting strikes in Saudi Arabia, noting that recent militia tactics indicate they are receiving training from Tehran.

It added that Iran continues to support the Houthis with experts and weapons, despite denying interference in Yemen, where officers are present on the front lines.

On the ground, spokesperson for the coalition supporting legitimacy, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, announced on Saturday the destruction of two ballistic missile launchers in Saada province.

He announced that three drones were intercepted and destroyed in the southern region and the Riyadh area, and two “cruise” missiles were intercepted over the Red Sea, in addition to a ballistic missile launched toward Yanbu during the past 72 hours.

In the same context, Yemeni legitimacy forces announced that the total number of aerial and ground strikes they carried out, with coalition support, since the launch of the “Yemen Dawn” operation on October 5, exceeded 17,000. In the past 24 hours alone, more than 1,250 strikes were carried out against the militia, resulting in the neutralization of approximately 700 Houthi fighters and the destruction or damage of more than 150 vehicles and combat assets.

The Aden Security Administration in Yemen’s interim capital announced on Friday evening that two missiles launched by the militia fell within the premises of Aden International Airport, marking the second incident of its kind in less than two weeks, with no casualties reported.