International Condemnation Mounts Over Houthi Threats to Saudi Arabia

A wave of Arab and international condemnations has been issued against the Houthi militia's threats to Saudi Arabia, specifically their declaration of a naval blockade. Widespread affirmations of solidarity with Riyadh have been voiced, underscoring its right to implement necessary measures to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and international maritime navigation.

The United Arab Emirates strongly denounced the Houthi statements, characterizing them as a threat to Saudi Arabia's security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The UAE urged the international community to enforce UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolutions 2216 concerning Yemen and 2722 regarding freedom of navigation. It emphasized that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a right guaranteed by international law and affirmed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, supporting all actions that preserve its security and stability.

Similarly, the United Kingdom vehemently condemned the Houthi threats, including the potential naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. It stated that these declarations constitute an escalation that jeopardizes regional stability and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, undermining peace efforts in Yemen. The UK Foreign Office reiterated London's support for Saudi Arabia and its partners in confronting these threats, calling for an immediate cessation of escalatory actions by the Houthis.

Mauritania also expressed its strong condemnation of the statements made by the Houthi military spokesperson, terming them baseless allegations aimed at undermining Saudi Arabia's security and sovereignty and posing a threat to maritime navigation and international maritime routes. Nouakchott affirmed its complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for the kingdom's right to take necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens, and vital interests.

In a related development, the Saudi Council of Ministers reiterated its condemnation of what it described as "baseless allegations" and accusations by the Houthi militia, asserting that these actions exacerbate the suffering of the Yemeni people and threaten regional security and stability. The Council affirmed Saudi Arabia's continued support for the Yemeni people and their legitimate government, alongside taking decisive actions to protect its security and vessels in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Bahrain condemned and denounced the Houthi threats, deeming them a dangerous escalation targeting regional security, international navigation, and trade, and a violation of international law and Security Council resolutions. Manama emphasized that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of Bahrain's security, declaring its full support for the measures taken by the kingdom to protect its sovereignty and security, and stressing the importance of concerted international efforts to safeguard navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Kuwait condemned the Houthi statements and their accompanying allegations and threats targeting Saudi Arabia's security and maritime navigation freedom. It called on the international community to implement relevant Security Council resolutions, affirming that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a right guaranteed by international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Jordan also expressed its strong rejection and condemnation of the Houthi statements, affirming its complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all steps taken to protect its sovereignty and security. Amman urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in implementing Security Council resolutions concerning Yemen and Red Sea navigation security.

The State of Qatar condemned the Houthi statements against Saudi Arabia and rejected the accusations concerning the blockade of the Yemeni people and threats to maritime navigation, affirming its full solidarity with the kingdom and support for all measures taken to preserve its security and sovereignty. Doha stressed that Saudi Arabia's security is an inseparable part of the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. The Syrian Arab Republic, in the strongest terms, condemned the statements issued by the Houthi militia, which included baseless claims and accusations against Saudi Arabia in an attempt to distort its regional role and undermine efforts to enhance security and stability in the region.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, in a statement published by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), affirmed Syria's complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia in confronting these allegations, praising the kingdom's positive and pivotal role in consolidating regional security and peace, supporting political solutions to conflicts, and promoting dialogue and cooperation among regional countries for the benefit of their peoples and stability. The Arab Republic of Egypt also strongly condemned and denounced the threats targeting Saudi Arabia's security, characterizing them as an irresponsible escalation that undermines regional security and stability, threatens maritime navigation, international trade, and vital waterways, constituting a flagrant violation of international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and relevant Security Council resolutions. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed Egypt's complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and all GCC countries, and its support for all measures taken by the kingdom to preserve its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Egypt stressed the importance of prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions and respecting international law to de-escalate tensions and maintain regional security and stability.

The Arab Parliament condemned and denounced the statements made by the Houthi militia accusing Saudi Arabia of blockading the Yemeni people and imposing a naval blockade. The Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Yemahi, affirmed the parliament's complete rejection of these provocative and irresponsible statements, which contradict Saudi Arabia's continuous efforts and sustained support for the Yemeni people. He stressed the Arab Parliament's firm rejection of any offensive statements or threats targeting Saudi Arabia or infringing upon its sovereignty and national security, asserting that the kingdom's security is an integral part of Arab national security. Al-Yemahi called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and take necessary actions to implement relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2722, to ensure the protection of Red Sea navigation and deter any acts that threaten regional and international security and peace. He reiterated the Arab Parliament's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all legitimate measures taken to protect its security, territorial integrity, and interests.

Turkey condemned the baseless allegations made by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia and the threats targeting maritime navigation freedom and security. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, reiterated Ankara's solidarity with Riyadh in confronting Houthi threats, emphasizing the urgent need to halt actions and threats that endanger maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and target maritime transport and global trade. It reiterated its call to "avoid any actions that would increase existing tensions in the region."

Pakistan issued a stern warning to the Houthi militia, stating that any attack targeting ships flying the Pakistani flag or its maritime interests would be considered a direct threat to its national security and would be met with all legitimate means, including force. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it strongly condemns the continued threats by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia and commercial navigation in the Red Sea, emphasizing that these practices threaten regional security, undermine freedom of navigation, and endanger global trade. Islamabad affirmed that any targeting of Pakistani ships or maritime interests would be considered an aggression against its sovereignty, and that it reserves the right, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, to take all necessary measures, including the use of force in self-defense, to protect its maritime assets and national interests.