Saudi Arabia Balances Security Protection and Support for Peace in Yemen

Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to bolster its own security and stability, while simultaneously supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government and working to resolve the crisis through multiple avenues, including countering security threats, engaging in diplomatic initiatives, and providing humanitarian aid and development projects to the Yemeni people. These efforts encompass confronting attacks carried out by the Houthi group using drones and missiles, which have targeted critical infrastructure and civilian assets on several occasions, as well as addressing the security risks posed to international navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Riyadh affirms that its support for the Yemeni government is grounded in backing the internationally recognized legitimacy and adhering to relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among them Security Council Resolution 2216, thereby contributing to the preservation of Yemeni state institutions, preventing the escalation of the conflict, and safeguarding the security of neighboring countries.

On the political front, Saudi Arabia continues to support efforts aimed at reaching a settlement that ends the Yemeni crisis, while remaining committed to the three reference points: the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and relevant Security Council resolutions. Riyadh also backs initiatives aimed at achieving a ceasefire and resuming negotiations under UN auspices, recognizing that a political solution is essential for restoring stability, strengthening state institutions, and curbing external interventions that complicate the peace process. Saudi efforts are not limited to the security and political spheres; they extend to humanitarian and developmental fields through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, by delivering relief assistance and implementing projects designed to improve basic services and alleviate the suffering of the population.

These initiatives include supporting the education, health, energy, and infrastructure sectors, alongside contributing to the rehabilitation of vital facilities and providing economic assistance, including support for the Central Bank of Yemen, with the aim of bolstering financial stability and mitigating the impacts of the humanitarian crisis. These parallel tracks reflect Saudi Arabia’s approach to combining the protection of its national security, support for Yemeni state institutions, and alleviation of the humanitarian burden on the population, while continuing to back political efforts to end the conflict and enhance regional and international security.