Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Right to Defend Against Houthi Militia Attacks

NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself against attacks by the Houthi militia and take necessary measures to protect its security, Saudi Permanent Representative to the United Nations Abdulaziz Al-Wasil said.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Yemen, Al-Wasil condemned repeated attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia, describing them as part of a systematic and aggressive campaign rather than isolated incidents.

He said the Houthi militia had been waging an armed rebellion against Yemen’s government since 2014 and accused the group of targeting civilians and economic infrastructure while seeking to impose its demands through threats and force.

Al-Wasil said the actions of the Houthi militia formed part of a wider and coordinated escalation inside Yemen.

He said the violence had subsequently extended beyond Yemen, with Saudi Arabia, its citizens and residents, as well as Saudi resources, becoming targets.

The Saudi envoy stressed that Riyadh reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, people and national interests.

Al-Wasil also expressed serious concern over attacks by the Houthi militia against commercial vessels and oil tankers in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.

He said targeting commercial ships, threatening their crews and restricting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab constituted extremely serious and criminal actions.

According to the Saudi representative, such attacks threaten international maritime security and could have consequences for global trade and energy supplies.

Al-Wasil reiterated that Saudi Arabia would continue to protect its sovereignty and national security against threats originating from the Houthi militia.

He called on the international community and the UN Security Council to address what Saudi Arabia considers repeated violations of international law and threats to maritime security.

The Saudi envoy stressed that protecting freedom of navigation and preventing attacks on civilian and commercial shipping were essential for maintaining regional stability and safeguarding international trade.