Saudi Arabia underscored on Tuesday its right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security for its citizens and residents following the terrorist Houthi militia attack that targeted civilian and economic areas in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran that left 73 people wounded, including women and children. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attacks, as well as the Houthis’ continued attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and their threats to international marine navigation. It reiterated its categorical rejection of the “hostile” and “criminal behavior” that the Houthis are adopting in threatening the security and stability of Yemen and its Arab and Islamic surroundings, as well as their continued rejection of peace efforts. The Kingdom vowed that “it will not be lenient against any assault that targets its territories and capabilities,” stressing that “the measures it takes to defend its sovereignty and security are in line with international law.” It demanded “an immediate halt to all forms of escalation and threats to marine navigation,” calling on the international community “to assume its responsibilities and implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.” Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly condemned the “terrorist attacks” carried out by the Houthi group against the Kingdom, saying they are a “flagrant violation of all international laws and norms” that deliberately disregard the security and safety of civilians and regional stability. “These recurring attacks once again expose the malicious intent of the Houthi group and demonstrate its explicit rejection of all efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in Yemen,” he said in a statement. "Targeting civilian installations and national capabilities is a condemned terrorist act that cannot be justified or tolerated under any pretext. The Houthi group's persistence in these hostile practices represents a blatant challenge to the international community and a direct threat to regional and international peace and security," Albudaiwi stressed. He further underscored “the urgent need for the international community to adopt a firm and deterrent stance against these violations, hold perpetrators and their backers accountable, and halt this ongoing terrorist conduct that jeopardizes regional security and the interests of its peoples.” “GCC member states stand united alongside Saudi Arabia,” he added, expressing full solidarity with the Kingdom in confronting all threats to its security, stability, sovereignty, and national capabilities. Albudaiwi reaffirmed complete GCC support for all measures and actions taken by the Kingdom to protect its territory, citizens, and residents, wishing the injured a swift and full recovery.
