Houthi Cross-Border Attacks Draw More Int’l Condemnation

Marib Governor Sultan al-Arada meets with Arab coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Malki in Marib. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Marib Governor Sultan al-Arada meets with Arab coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Malki in Marib. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Houthi Cross-Border Attacks Draw More Int’l Condemnation

Marib Governor Sultan al-Arada meets with Arab coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Malki in Marib. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Marib Governor Sultan al-Arada meets with Arab coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Malki in Marib. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Houthi crimes in Yemen and cross-border attacks against civilian targets in neighboring Saudi Arabia have drawn more international condemnation with a number of states calling for commitment to humanitarian laws and urging an immediate ceasefire in the war-torn country.

Spain’s Foreign Ministry, in an official statement on Tuesday, condemned repeated attacks recently launched by the Iran-backed militias on several residential complexes in Saudi Arabia.

Noting that these attacks endanger civilian lives, violate the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and threaten regional security, the ministry called for strict commitment to international humanitarian laws and implementing an immediate ceasefire.

In a similar statement, France slammed the Houthis for firing missiles and launching drones against Saudi cities.

It affirmed that these attacks represent a dangerous escalation and violate international law.

Paris reiterated its strong commitment to the security of Saudi territory and regional stability, to which the proliferation of drones and missiles poses a serious threat.

“The destabilizing regional activities of the Houthis and their offensive in Yemen’s Marib are directly violate any process to resolve the crisis in Yemen and must cease immediately,” an official statement said.

“France reaffirms its commitment to a cessation of hostilities in the country and to the relaunching of discussions on a comprehensive and inclusive political agreement, under UN auspices,” the statement added.

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) warned against Houthi cross-border assaults endangering the lives of Saudi civilians.

“The uptick in Houthi cross-border attacks puts civilian lives at risk and threatens the security of Saudi Arabia,” he said in a tweet.

“The US remains committed to protecting the Kingdom’s territorial integrity. The violence must stop and all parties should engage in UN-led peace talks,” he added.

Sudan also strongly condemned Houthi violence and warned that cross-border attacks by the militias undermined regional stability.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that international silence against “heinous” crimes and violations committed by Houthis is “unacceptable.”



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.