Arab and international condemnations poured in on Tuesday against the Houthi militias in Yemen in wake of their accusations against Saudi Arabia.
Egypt strongly condemned the accusations “which would undermine the security and stability of the region and threaten the safety of maritime navigation, international trade, and vital waterways.”
A Foreign Ministry statement said the accusations are a “flagrant violation of international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
It stressed Egypt’s “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and its support for all measures they take to preserve their security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
It stressed the importance of prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions and respecting the rules of international law in a manner that contributes to de-escalation and the preservation of the region's security and stability.
Sudan strongly condemned the accusations, warning that such provocations further threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reaffirmed Sudan’s support “for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
The Sudanese government “called on the regional and international community to increase pressure and take effective measures to counter the activities of terrorist militias and work toward their complete elimination.”
Britain also strongly condemned the Houthi accusations, stressing that these provocations further destabilize the region, threaten freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and undermine efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.
In a statement, the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office emphasized that the United Kingdom stands firmly with Saudi Arabia and its other partners in the region in confronting these threats, calling on the Houthi militias to immediately cease their escalatory actions.
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy underlined his full solidarity with and support for Saudi Arabia against anything that could undermine its security, stability, or sovereignty, following the statements by the so-called military spokesperson of the Houthi terrorist militias, which included false accusations and threats directed at the Kingdom.
In a statement, the secretary-general described the remarks as “a serious and unacceptable escalation that would fuel tensions in the region and undermine efforts aimed at de-escalation and promoting security and stability.”
Fahmy called on the Houthi militias “to refrain from escalatory rhetoric and to avoid any actions or statements that could further heighten tensions, stressing that prioritizing dialogue and adhering to regional and international efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement to the Yemeni crisis remain the only path to achieving security and stability in Yemen and the region.”
He underlined that the security and territorial integrity of the Kingdom “are an integral part of the Arab national security system.”
The Arab League supports all legitimate measures the Kingdom takes to protect its national security and safeguard its territorial integrity, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, he added.
The United Nations expressed “deep concern” over the Houthi accusations.
Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric warned of the risk of a broader regional escalation.
Dujarric said the United Nations is also deeply concerned about the resumption of hostilities and renewed escalation across large parts of the region, stressing that immediate de-escalation is essential.
“All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law,” he said, reiterating the UN’s call for all sides to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy.
Dujarric noted that these developments come as the world is already grappling with the impact of the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its repercussions for the global economy.
Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha strongly condemned the Houthi accusations.
He deemed the Houthi statements “unacceptable and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” stressing that “the continued threats to maritime navigation pose a threat to regional and international security.”
He noted that these actions “form part of a series of attacks and baseless allegations made by the Houthi terrorist militias against Saudi Arabia, most recently the attack targeting the Kingdom's Southern Region.”
He reaffirmed the OIC’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures the Kingdom takes to safeguard its security and stability.
He recalled Saudi Arabia's “sustained efforts to help achieve peace, security, and stability in Yemen, alongside the generous humanitarian and relief assistance it has provided and the development projects it has implemented for the benefit of the Yemeni people to alleviate their suffering.”
He called for the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen and on the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
