Houthi Targeting of Civilians Amounts to ‘War Crimes’

Shrapnel from one of the Houthi ballistic missiles crashed through the roof of a residential property in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after it was intercepted | SPA
Shrapnel from one of the Houthi ballistic missiles crashed through the roof of a residential property in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after it was intercepted | SPA
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Houthi Targeting of Civilians Amounts to ‘War Crimes’

Shrapnel from one of the Houthi ballistic missiles crashed through the roof of a residential property in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after it was intercepted | SPA
Shrapnel from one of the Houthi ballistic missiles crashed through the roof of a residential property in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after it was intercepted | SPA

Several states and organizations considered cross-border attacks staged by Houthis in Yemen against neighboring Saudi civilians an extension of the Iran-backed group’s war crimes.

International condemnation and warnings have failed in curbing Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks repeatedly striking civilian targets.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Sunday condemned a ballistic missile attack by the Houthis on the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

“The UK condemns the latest Houthi missile and drone attacks targeted at Saudi Arabia and Marib,” Raab said in a tweet.

“These put innocent lives at risk, and show that those responsible are not serious about peace, let alone protecting the Yemeni people,” he added, criticizing Houthi conduct.

Col. Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, said the Houthis were trying in “a systematic and deliberate way to target civilians.”

He added that Houthi violence both violates international and humanitarian laws and hinders efforts for finding a political solution that ends conflict in Yemen.

Despite Arab Coalition forces successfully intercepting and destroying hundreds of Houthi missiles and drones launched against civilians, shrapnel from one of the Houthi ballistic missiles crashed through the roof of a residential property in Riyadh after it was intercepted.

No casualties were reported.

“The Houthi militia’s insistence on continuing these terrorist acts constitutes a continuation of the dangerous escalation that these militias are undertaking to harm the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and undermine the stability of the region,” said the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kuwait renewed its call to the international community, and the UN Security Council, to carry out their duties to curb the Houthis' “dangerous escalation” and to maintain international peace and security.

Qatar strongly condemned the Houthi missile attack that targeted Riyadh and said it was “a dangerous act against civilians which contravenes all international norms and laws.”

The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Nayef Al-Hajjraf, condemned the terrorist Houthi militia, saying that the continuation of such attacks reflected a blatant challenge to the international community and showed its disregard for international laws and norms.

This, according to Hajjraf, required the international community to take an immediate and decisive stance to stop the repeated terrorist acts, which targeted vital and civilian installations and the security and stability of Saudi Arabia.



UNIFIL Affirms Freedom of Movement Amid Tensions in South Lebanon

Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
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UNIFIL Affirms Freedom of Movement Amid Tensions in South Lebanon

Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)

The United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reaffirmed its authority to move freely and conduct patrols with or without Lebanese army presence, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The statement came after an incident in the town of Srifa, where local residents intercepted a UNIFIL patrol. A man climbed onto a UN vehicle and raised a Hezbollah flag in protest over the absence of a Lebanese army escort.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, which has been in place since November 2023.

Southern Lebanese villages, particularly those south of the Litani River, appeared nearly deserted during the Eid al-Adha holiday. In contrast to the crowds seen during Eid al-Fitr, most streets were empty, with only a few remaining residents visible.

The destruction caused by Israeli attacks has prevented many from returning to their homes in border villages. Continuous drone surveillance and frequent airstrikes have further discouraged residents from even briefly visiting their damaged properties.

Those who did visit on the first day of Eid described their trips as “urgent and brief,” citing the persistent threat of renewed attacks.

Israeli forces have been accused of several violations in recent days. Local media reported the abduction of a Lebanese shepherd near the town of Shebaa, as well as the injury of a civilian after an Israeli drone dropped two stun grenades in the town of Houla. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported near the towns of Rmeish and Aita al-Shaab.

UNIFIL confirmed the Srifa incident, with spokesperson Andrea Tenenti stating that a group of civilians stopped a scheduled patrol. “The peacekeepers were able to resume their duties after the Lebanese army intervened,” he said.

Tenenti emphasized that Resolution 1701 grants UNIFIL full freedom of movement, adding: “While we coordinate closely with the Lebanese army, freedom of movement is essential to fulfill our mandate.”

Incidents involving local opposition to UNIFIL patrols have become more frequent in recent weeks. With more than 400 patrols conducted daily in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army is unable to accompany all of them due to limited manpower.

UNIFIL continues to view its presence as vital to regional stability, and discussions are underway to extend its mandate beyond August.