Saudi Cabinet Says Kingdom Will Defend Sovereignty After Houthi Attacks
JEDDAH, September 8, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has reaffirmed the Kingdom’s determination to defend its sovereignty, protect its national assets and ensure the safety of citizens and residents following Houthi attacks on southern Saudi cities.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired Tuesday’s Cabinet session in Jeddah.
The Cabinet said the Houthi group had attacked civilian and economic sites in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran and continued targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and international maritime navigation.
Saudi authorities earlier said the attacks injured 73 civilians, including women and children.
The Cabinet directed the relevant authorities to provide the highest levels of medical treatment and care to those injured.
It also rejected what it described as the group’s hostile conduct and threats to the stability of Yemen and its Arab and Islamic surroundings.
At the beginning of the session, the Crown Prince briefed ministers on his recent discussions with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation across multiple sectors.
The Cabinet expressed Saudi Arabia’s support for joint Arab efforts to halt Israeli violations and attacks in Jerusalem and other occupied territories. It also rejected settlement activity, displacement and expansionist policies that violate international law.
Ministers welcomed a memorandum of understanding signed by the Saudi and German foreign ministers to establish a strategic dialogue and strengthen bilateral consultation, coordination and cooperation.
The Cabinet praised the results of LEAP 2026, where initiatives, agreements and investments worth nearly $15 billion were announced across artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centers, cloud computing, technology manufacturing, venture capital and national talent development.
It also highlighted the outcomes of the 26th Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah and Visit Research and welcomed new investment projects under Saudi Arabia’s program to localize water industries and services.
Cabinet Decisions
The Cabinet approved:
-An agreement with Spain granting reciprocal visa exemptions to holders of diplomatic, special and service passports.
An agreement with the Swiss Federal Council on the mutual promotion and protection of investments.
-Authorization for the governor of the Saudi Central Bank, or a delegate, to negotiate and sign a draft memorandum with Bank Indonesia covering cooperation between central banks.
-A memorandum between the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language and the Muslim World League on cooperation in serving the Arabic language.
-Amendments to provisions of the Law of the Judiciary concerning judicial ranks and eligibility requirements.
The establishment of the Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal Reserve, a special-nature reserve operating under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
-The appointment of Dr. Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Shuraihi and Ali bin Abdullah Al-Lafi to the board of the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center.
-The final accounts of the Jeddah Governorate Development Authority, the Social Development Bank and Taibah University for two previous financial years.
-The Cabinet also issued directions concerning annual reports from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Higher Commission for Hosting the 2034 World Cup, the Saudi Irrigation Organization and the Enforcement and Liquidation Center.
Five officials were promoted to Rank 14 across the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
