UN Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabian Territory
The United Nations (UN) has expressed strong condemnation of a series of attacks allegedly carried out by the Houthi group from Yemen against civilian infrastructure and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. In addition to condemning the violence, the UN has urged the strengthening of maritime security in the vital routes of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
This firm statement was delivered by the UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific, Khaled Khiari. During an emergency session of the UN Security Council held on Wednesday (16/9), Khiari highlighted the recent escalation of attacks targeting the sovereignty of Saudi Arabian territory and regional stability.
The emergency session of the UN Security Council was specifically organised to discuss security developments in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This route is one of the most strategic maritime corridors in the world for global trade and energy shipments.
In his presentation, Khiari emphasised the importance of restoring and respecting the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. He asserted that all parties must adhere to international law and applicable UN Security Council resolutions.
Regarding relevant resolutions, the UN referred to compliance with Resolution 2722, which specifically regulates actions related to the Houthi group in Yemen to ensure the safety of international navigation.
The UN warned that ongoing disruptions to maritime corridors in the region are not merely a regional issue but a serious threat to global stability. Khiari detailed several systemic impacts that could arise if security disruptions continue:
Closures or disruptions in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait are assessed to hit the economic conditions of the most vulnerable nations, given their dependence on stable maritime logistics flows. The UN called for an immediate cessation of all forms of attacks targeting civilians and vital infrastructure to maintain international peace.
On the other hand, the Houthi group has firmly denied any military threats to the holy city of Makkah or other Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia. The statement from the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen emerged in response to steps taken by the security authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which issued an emergency warning in the region on Tuesday (15/9).
A military source quoted by the Houthi-run news agency, Saba, stated that claims regarding threats from Yemen are baseless. The Houthi group instead accused Riyadh, issuing the warnings, of spreading disinformation.
“We firmly deny any threats from Yemen to the holy city of Makkah or any other holy sites,” the military source stated, according to reports from Sputnik.
They also condemned the warnings as fabrications and deception disseminated by Saudi Arabian authorities.