Jordan and Bahrain responded to the Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The two countries described the targeting of Riyadh’s sovereignty and security, as well as civilians and civilian infrastructure, as a violation of international law.
Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Fuat al-Majali said his country stood in “absolute” solidarity with Saudi Arabia. Al-Majali said Jordan supported all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its sovereignty, security, stability and citizens.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also announced that a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh had been intercepted and destroyed by Saudi air defense systems. The ministry said attempts to target civilians and civilian infrastructure in Baysh, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu constituted a clear violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, describing them as a threat to the country’s security and territorial integrity and a grave violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Bahrain calls on UN Security Council to assume responsibility
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry condemned the escalation in the Houthi attacks, which it described as backed by Iran. The ministry said the attacks constituted clear violations of international law, international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Bahrain expressed full support for all measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect its sovereignty, security and stability and to safeguard citizens and residents on its territory. The ministry called on the United Nations Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities, adopt a firm position in response to the attacks and call for those responsible to be held accountable.
Warnings issued in Riyadh, Al-Kharj and Farasan
Statements from Jordan and Bahrain followed new warnings issued Saturday by Saudi Civil Defense units. Two warnings were issued in Riyadh, two in Al-Kharj and one in Farasan; no casualties or damage were reported in connection with the warnings.
The warnings followed a broader wave of attacks on Friday. Saudi authorities said Thursday that one person had been killed and two others injured by debris from a Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle intercepted over Taif.
The Houthis later claimed that they had thwarted what they described as “criminal actions” carried out by Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The Houthis provided no details about the claim, and Saudi authorities did not link the statement to the civil defense warnings.
Background to the conflict in Yemen
Saudi Arabia has led a coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government since March 2015. The Houthis have controlled Sanaa and parts of Yemen’s various provinces since September 2014.
