Members of the UN Security Council strongly condemned the ongoing and escalating Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including strikes against civilian aviation and energy infrastructure that resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.
In a statement issued by the council president on Thursday, members said the attacks included “reckless strikes” targeting King Khalid International Airport on October 10 and 11, which caused deaths and injuries, as well as multiple strikes against other airports and Saudi Aramco facilities. The council expressed its deepest condolences to the victims’ families, the Saudi government and its people, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Council members expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia in confronting attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure on its territory, affirming its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with international law.
The statement also strongly condemned the continued Houthi attacks and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, stressing the importance of safeguarding the safety of commercial vessels and their crews.
The members underscored the importance of fully implementing Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015 and subsequent resolutions. They also called for practical cooperation, including with the Yemeni government, to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons and related materiel, technical assistance, training, financing and other forms of support linked to military activities needed to carry out further attacks.
The statement called on the Houthis to immediately halt their military escalation and attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. It also reaffirmed the Security Council’s support for the Yemeni government and its members’ firm commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Council members reiterated their support for UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg in his efforts to reach, through negotiations, a comprehensive political settlement led and owned by Yemenis.
Source: Asharq Al-Awsat
