Saudi Arabia condemns Houthi strikes on southern cities

Riyadh says attacks on Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran injured 73 civilians, and warns it will defend its territory by all means permitted under international law

Staff Writer
Saudi Arabia Flag
Image: Canva

Article summary

AI Generated

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Houthi strikes on four of its southern cities that injured 73 civilians, warning the Kingdom will use all means permitted under international law to defend its territory. Riyadh also called on the international community to enforce relevant UN Security Council resolutions and demanded an immediate halt to Red Sea shipping attacks.

Key points

  • 73 civilians injured in Houthi strikes on four Saudi cities
  • Saudi Arabia warns it will defend sovereignty by all legal means
  • Riyadh calls for enforcement of UN resolutions 2216 and 2722

Subscribe to our free newsletter to continue reading.

Newsletters

Saudi Arabia has issued its strongest condemnation of Houthi attacks on civilian and economic targets across its southern cities, after strikes on Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran left 73 civilians injured, including women and children.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as criminal conduct by what it called the terrorist Houthi militia, and said the Kingdom categorically rejects the militia’s continued hostility toward Yemen and its Arab and Islamic neighbours.

The ministry also condemned ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, calling them a direct threat to freedom of international maritime navigation.

Saudi Arabia affirmed its right to take all measures necessary to defend its sovereignty, protect national assets, and ensure the security of its citizens and residents. The statement made clear the Kingdom would not tolerate further attacks on its territory or infrastructure under any circumstances, citing international law as the basis for that position.

The ministry called for an immediate halt to all forms of escalation and renewed pressure on the international community to enforce existing UN Security Council resolutions, singling out Resolution 2216, passed in 2015, and Resolution 2722, passed in 2024.

The statement also condemned what it described as the militia’s continued rejection of peace efforts, framing the attacks as deliberate obstruction of any path toward a political settlement in Yemen.

Advertisement