Global Condemnation of Houthi Threats Against Saudi Arabia and Maritime Navigation

A wave of Arab and international condemnations has swept across the region and beyond following threats issued by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia, specifically targeting maritime navigation. These widespread condemnations underscore a strong solidarity with Riyadh and affirm its right to take necessary measures to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and the safety of international shipping lanes.

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

Similarly, the United Kingdom strongly condemned the Houthi threats, including the declared intention to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. The UK highlighted these declarations as escalatory actions that jeopardize regional stability, imperil freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and undermine peace efforts in Yemen. The British Foreign Office affirmed London's steadfast support for Saudi Arabia and its partners in confronting these threats, calling for an immediate cessation of Houthi escalatory actions.

Mauritania expressed its profound condemnation of the statements by the Houthi military spokesperson, labeling them as baseless claims aimed at compromising Saudi Arabia's security and sovereignty, and posing a threat to maritime navigation and international sea lanes. Nouakchott affirmed its complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for any measures deemed necessary to protect its territory, citizens, and vital interests.

In a related development, the Saudi Council of Ministers reiterated its condemnation of what it termed "false claims" and accusations by the Houthi militia, stating that such 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 its commitment to taking decisive measures to protect its security and vessels in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Council also renewed Saudi solidarity with Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan in confronting Iranian aggressions, stressing the imperative for an immediate halt to all military escalations to preserve regional security and stability.

Bahrain strongly condemned and denounced the Houthi threats, describing them as a dangerous escalation targeting regional security, international navigation, and trade, and violating international law and Security Council resolutions. Manama asserted that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of Bahrain's security, declaring full support for Saudi measures to protect its sovereignty and security, and emphasizing the importance of concerted international efforts to safeguard navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Kuwait also condemned the Houthi statements and their included claims and threats against Saudi security and maritime navigation. Kuwait called on the international community to implement relevant Security Council resolutions, reaffirming 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 declared its strong rejection and denunciation of the Houthi statements, affirming its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all steps taken to protect its sovereignty and security. Jordan urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in implementing Security Council resolutions pertaining to Yemen and Red Sea navigation.

Qatar condemned the Houthi statements against Saudi Arabia, rejecting accusations of besieging the Yemeni people and threatening maritime navigation. Doha affirmed its complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken to preserve its security and sovereignty, emphasizing that the security of Saudi Arabia is an inseparable component of the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Syria, in the strongest terms, condemned the statements issued by the Houthi militia, which contained baseless allegations and accusations against Saudi Arabia, attempting to distort its regional role and undermine efforts to enhance security and stability in the region. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, via SANA, affirmed Syria's complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia in confronting these claims, commending the Kingdom's positive and pivotal role in consolidating regional security and peace, supporting political solutions to conflicts, and fostering dialogue and cooperation among regional states for the benefit of their peoples and stability.

Egypt vehemently condemned and denounced the threats targeting Saudi Arabia's security, characterizing them as irresponsible escalations that undermine regional stability, threaten maritime navigation, international trade, and vital waterways, constituting a blatant violation of international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and relevant Security Council resolutions. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry affirmed Egypt's complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and all GCC states, supporting all measures taken to preserve its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Egypt underscored 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 Houthi statements accusing Saudi Arabia of besieging the Yemeni people and imposing a maritime blockade. The Parliament's Speaker, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Yemahi, rejected 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, stating 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, notably Resolution 2722, to ensure the protection of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and deter any actions that threaten regional and international security and peace. He reaffirmed 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 false claims by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia and the threats to maritime navigation. The Turkish Foreign Ministry reiterated Ankara's solidarity with Riyadh in confronting Houthi threats, emphasizing the immediate need to cease actions and threats endangering maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, and targeting maritime transport and global trade. Turkey reiterated its call to avoid any actions that could escalate existing regional tensions.

Pakistan issued a stern warning to the Houthi militia, stating that any attack targeting Pakistani-flagged vessels or its maritime interests would be considered a direct threat to its national security, which would be met with all legitimate means, including force. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the ongoing Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and commercial navigation in the Red Sea, asserting that these practices jeopardize regional security, undermine freedom of navigation, and endanger global trade. Islamabad affirmed that any targeting of Pakistani vessels or maritime interests would constitute an assault on its sovereignty, emphasizing its 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.