Saudi Arabia affirms no compromise on national security

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that its security, territorial integrity and defensive capability are firm principles that cannot be compromised, and asserted that its right to defend itself and protect its sovereignty has been established.

The statement was delivered at the conclusion of a Cabinet meeting chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the Saudi news agency SPA.

The Cabinet condemned the despicable and deliberate attacks continually carried out by the terrorist Houthi militia against civilians and civilian objects in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s security, the safety of its territory and its resources are firm principles that cannot be compromised, the Cabinet said.

The Cabinet also affirmed that the kingdom is legally entitled to defend itself and protect its sovereignty, citizens, residents and vital objects in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

The statement was made amid mounting Houthi attacks from Yemen against Saudi Arabia.

The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognised Yemeni government, Turki Al-Maliki, said on Tuesday that 13 civilians were wounded in Houthi attacks targeting Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif in the country’s south-western region.

In recent days, the Houthis have expanded their control over Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, including Mayyun Island in the Bab El-Mandab Strait.

Yemen has been racked by war since the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and a number of provinces in September 2014, prompting the Saudi-led Arab coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognised Yemeni government.