Saudi Arabia Affirms Right to Defend Its Territory at UN Security Council After Houthi Attacks
RIYADH, October 10 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia affirmed its right to defend its territory and sovereignty and protect its citizens and residents after Houthi attacks on civilian and vital facilities, calling on the UN Security Council on Friday to halt attacks threatening the Kingdom and international navigation.
Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Alwasil told a UN Security Council session on Yemen that Saudi Arabia would take all necessary measures to protect its security and deter attacks in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. He urged implementation of Resolution 2216 (2015) on Yemen and Resolution 2722 (2024) on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
Alwasil said two attacks on King Khalid International Airport on Thursday struck airport facilities and a Saudia aircraft, killing three Saudi citizens and injuring citizens and residents of various nationalities. The attacks also caused material damage.
Separately, attacks on October 6 and 7 on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport killed three civilians and injured 36 people, he said. Facilities at Jazan and Najran airports were also damaged. Alwasil said the attacks violated Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and threatened civilian safety and civil aviation security.
He said the Houthi militia attempted to target Makkah on September 15, its second such attempt after July 27, 2017, and targeted the Taiba power distribution station in Madinah on September 29. Attacks on Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran during September injured 73 civilians, including women and children, he said.
“The terrorist Houthi militia continues to threaten maritime navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, targeting ships and economic facilities, thereby jeopardizing regional security and stability as well as the safety of global energy supplies.”
Alwasil said Saudi Arabia would not allow Yemen to become a platform for threatening its security or freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. He said external military and technical support had strengthened Houthi capabilities, fuelled the spread of weapons outside state control and increased threats to Yemen and the region.
He accused the militia of imposing internal blockades, forcing displacement, starving civilians, terrorising women and recruiting children. Its choice of military escalation over peace would prolong the crisis and undermine efforts towards a comprehensive political solution, he said.
Alwasil said Saudi Arabia had prioritised peace since 2011. He said a roadmap it presented to UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg had been accepted by the Yemeni government and rejected by the Houthi militia. He reaffirmed support for Hans Grundberg’s efforts towards a Yemeni-led settlement preserving Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
“The Kingdom has been, and remains, one of the largest supporters of Yemen, providing substantial humanitarian, developmental, and economic aid to the brotherly Yemeni people—assistance that contributes to alleviating their suffering and bolstering economic and financial stability.”
Alwasil said Saudi Arabia had recently provided support to the Central Bank of Yemen. A separate budget support instalment of more than SAR224 million was provided on October 4 through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen to help reduce the deficit and maintain government financial flows, he said.
Saudi Arabia’s economic and development support to Yemen exceeded $12.6 billion between 2012 and 2026, while its humanitarian aid exceeded $4.5 billion, according to Alwasil. He said Saudi Arabia remained committed to ending the suffering of the Yemeni people and supporting a comprehensive and sustainable political solution.
Source: SPA
