RIYADH, Oct. 16: Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s strong condemnation of escalating Houthi attacks on the Kingdom, including strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and threats to maritime traffic in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
In a statement posted on X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry appreciated the council’s solidarity and its call for international cooperation to prevent the Iran aligned Houthi group from acquiring weapons.
The ministry said the council’s position reflected international concern over attacks directed at civilians and essential infrastructure.
On Thursday, the Security Council condemned the escalating attacks in the strongest terms and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s inherent right to self defence under international law.
The council’s presidential statement specifically referred to deadly strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 and 11. According to the statement, the attacks killed 14 people and injured more than 300 others.
Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said on Thursday that the Houthis had launched 20 attacks against the airport since October 1.
The council also expressed concern over attacks on other airports and facilities operated by Saudi Aramco, the Kingdom’s state-owned oil company. Members said the strikes had endangered civilian aviation, damaged critical energy infrastructure and resulted in casualties.
The latest statement represents a stronger collective response from the Security Council amid growing regional tensions and concerns about the security of vital transport and energy routes.
Presidential statements are formal expressions of the council’s position and require the agreement of all 15 members. They are delivered during public meetings and entered into the official record.
The council also recalled its earlier statements issued on August 7 and September 18, which urged the Houthis to immediately stop their military escalation and attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The renewed condemnation underscores international concern over the widening security crisis and the potential consequences for regional stability, civilian safety and commercial shipping through strategically important waterways.