Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Houthi Claims Accusing the Kingdom of Besieging the Yemeni People

The Kingdom affirmed that it will take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law (Saudi Flag website)
The Kingdom affirmed that it will take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law (Saudi Flag website)
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Houthi Claims Accusing the Kingdom of Besieging the Yemeni People

The Kingdom affirmed that it will take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law (Saudi Flag website)
The Kingdom affirmed that it will take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law (Saudi Flag website)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed the Kingdom's strongest condemnation of the allegations made by the so-called military spokesperson of the Houthi terrorist militia, who accused the Kingdom of besieging the Yemeni people and claimed imposing a maritime blockade on the Kingdom.

In a statement issued Monday, the ministry affirmed that the Kingdom has worked over the past years with the legitimate government of Yemen to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people through development projects, support for the Yemeni government’s budget, and the provision of petroleum derivatives to operate power plants.

The ports in northern Yemen (Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa) received more than 300 ships carrying various food items goods, fuel, and construction materials during the first half of 2026, while maintaining the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216, including the prohibition on the entry of weapons and ammunition that the militia seeks to smuggle into Yemen by all available means in order to prolong its control over the resources of the Yemeni people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled the Houthi’s previous widespread attacks targeting the Yemeni people and infrastructure, including the attack on Aden Airport on December 30, 2020, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of people.

During the truce, the militia also targeted oil export ports in southern Yemen on October 21, 2022, and subsequently carried out attacks that aimed to cripple the government’s ability to sell oil, which represents approximately 60% of the government’s revenues, and directly impacting the payment of salaries to government employees, the ministry said in a statement.

The militia also seized four aircrafts belonging to Yemenia Airways and detained them at Sanaa Airport after they had transported Yemeni pilgrims from Jeddah.

Furthermore, the militia dragged Yemen into the regional conflict and targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, exacerbating the suffering of the Yemeni people, preventing them from traveling, and worsening the economic situation, particularly in areas under the control of the Houthi militia.

The Houthi militia rejected all initiatives to resume flights from Sanaa Airport, most recently the Jordanian initiative, and has continued to commit humanitarian violations against Yemeni citizens. The militia is now attempting to deflect responsibility for the economic challenges and growing public discontent it faces by fabricating false accusations against the Kingdom.

The statement said that the Kingdom aims to achieve peace in Yemen and end the suffering of the Yemeni people. Saudi Arabia has supported UN efforts to achieve peace in Yemen over the past years, including the roadmap accepted by the Yemeni government, while the Houthi militia refrained from announcing its acceptance and instead engaged in the regional conflict in support of its sinister agenda and objectives, exacerbating the suffering of Yemeni citizens in the areas under its control.

The Kingdom also called upon the international community to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

At the same time, the Kingdom affirmed that it will take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.



Bahrain Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Urges Decisive Security Council Measures

A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
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Bahrain Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Urges Decisive Security Council Measures

A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)

Bahrain strongly condemned on Wednesday continued attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia on civilian, economic, and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia.

A Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement denounced the militia's missile and drone launches toward Riyadh, Dhahran, Khamis Mushait and other areas, describing them as “a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, and a threat to civilian lives and regional security and stability.”

The ministry reaffirmed Bahrain's “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its full support for all measures that Saudi Arabia takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability and protect citizens and residents.”

Bahrain underscored Saudi Arabia's inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

It stressed that Saudi Arabia's security and stability are integral to Bahrain's security and that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The statement reiterated Bahrain's call for the United Nations Security Council to take decisive measures to halt repeated Houthi terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects in Saudi Arabia, hold those responsible and their supporters accountable.

It urged it to ensure the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, thereby protecting civilians, ensuring the safety and security of air and maritime navigation, safeguarding energy supplies and global trade, and preserving regional and international peace and security.


Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Italian Counterpart Condemning Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Italian Counterpart Condemning Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a telephone call from his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, who expressed his country's condemnation of the brutal Houthi attacks against the Kingdom.

He underlined Italy's solidarity with the Kingdom and support for the measures it takes to safeguard its security.

He also underscored his country's gratitude to the Saudi authorities for their efforts to ensure the safety of residents in the Kingdom, including Italian nationals.

The FMs discussed regional and international developments and efforts to ensure the safety and freedom of maritime navigation through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Straits, facilitating the smooth flow of international trade and preserving regional security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Colombia’s Opening of Embassy in Jerusalem

Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Colombia’s Opening of Embassy in Jerusalem

Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)
Diplomats watch regards from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella (on screen) during a ceremony marking the opening of Colombia's new embassy in Jerusalem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 October 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday Colombia’s opening of its embassy in Jerusalem.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said the Kingdom deemed the move “a flagrant violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions and a direct infringement of the legal and historical status of the occupied city.”

“The Kingdom stresses that this step contradicts the established international position regarding the legal and historical status of Jerusalem,” it added.

“It reiterates its call to the international community, including the UN Security Council and all concerned parties, to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities and to take urgent action to halt the illegal Israeli policies aimed at imposing a new reality by force and undermining prospects for achieving a just and lasting peace,” it said.

The Arab League also condemned Colombia’s move, describing it as a violation of relevant international resolutions. It said the move disregards the legal and political status of East Jerusalem, which is part of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and the capital of the State of Palestine. 

It warned of the repercussions of the move, which was taken despite repeated warnings and communications with the Colombian side.  

The decision runs counter to the international consensus on Jerusalem and infringes upon the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, it added. 

The legal status of Jerusalem cannot be altered through unilateral measures or diplomatic decisions that violate international law, it declared. 

It cited UN Security Council Resolution 478, which rejected measures aimed at altering the character and status of Jerusalem and called on states to withdraw their diplomatic missions from the city.  

It also cited Resolution 2334, which affirmed that changes to the June 4, 1967 borders, including those concerning Jerusalem, would not be recognized unless agreed upon by the parties through negotiations. 

The Arab League stressed that relevant international resolutions, including those of the UN General Assembly, form the basis for addressing the issue of Jerusalem.  

“Unilateral measures affecting the city's legal or political status undermine peace efforts and weaken prospects for a just and lasting settlement based on the two-state solution,” it warned. 

The Arab League called on Colombia to reconsider and reverse its decision and adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and relevant international resolutions. It emphasized that respecting Jerusalem's legal status is an international responsibility and that unilateral measures serve neither peace nor stability.