The United Nations Security Council’s statement condemning Houthi attacks was supported by Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Qatar. The countries welcomed the statement’s assessment of attacks against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels, as well as flights to Yemeni airports without permission.
Saudi Arabia emphasizes international law
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the position set out in the Council’s statement issued on Friday. The ministry supported the condemnation of missile attacks launched by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia since July 13 and attacks targeting commercial vessels since July 22.
Riyadh emphasized its right to protect its security and sovereignty and to defend itself against attacks targeting its citizens, resources and facilities. The ministry said all necessary measures would be taken for this purpose in accordance with international law.
Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to implement the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and take a firm stance against practices that threaten regional security and international maritime transport.
Riyadh said Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity must be respected. Saudi Arabia supported the Council’s emphasis on implementing international law and relevant resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216, and reiterated its support for the Yemeni government and the peace and stability efforts of Hans Grundberg, the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen.
Yemeni government opposes unauthorized flights
Yemen’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the Council’s condemnation of the landing of Iranian aircraft at Sana’a and Hudaydah airports without permission from the Yemeni government.
The ministry supported the assessment that all flights to Sana’a and Hudaydah airports must be coordinated with the Yemeni government and receive prior authorization. The Yemeni administration also welcomed the condemnation of Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels.
The Council’s statement said that aircraft had landed at Sana’a International Airport on July 3 and at Hudaydah Airport on July 13 without government permission. This was deemed a violation of international civil aviation rules.
The Yemeni government had announced that on July 13, an aircraft belonging to Iran’s Mahan Air had attempted to land in Sana’a despite lacking permission to enter the country’s airspace and had then headed toward Hudaydah. The government also announced that Sana’a Airport’s runway had been targeted to prevent the aircraft from landing.
Qatar supports Saudi Arabia’s security
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry expressed support for Security Council members’ condemnation of Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels.
Doha emphasized the need to comply with international law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Qatar said it opposed actions that threaten regional security and the rights and freedom of maritime transport.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said it stood in solidarity with all measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect its sovereignty and security. The ministry said Saudi Arabia’s security could not be considered separately from the security of Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Security Council calls for dialogue
The United Nations Security Council warned that attacks threatening regional security and maritime transport could undermine peace efforts in Yemen and the region.
The Council called on the Houthis to refrain from escalating tensions and use channels of dialogue to address concerns. It also reiterated its support for Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, in his efforts to achieve a comprehensive political solution led by Yemen and owned by Yemenis.
Yemen’s Foreign Ministry argued that the flow of weapons, military technology and expertise to the Houthis must be stopped. The ministry called for strengthening state institutions’ capacity to protect sovereignty, coastlines, territorial waters and maritime routes.
The United Nations secretary-general had expressed concern on July 24 over the resumption of Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The secretary-general had warned that tensions could spread and Yemen could be drawn further into the regional conflict.
Resolution 2216, cited by the Council, prohibits the delivery of weapons, equipment and assistance linked to military activities to individuals and entities on the sanctions list. The Houthis are among the groups on that list.
The Houthis have controlled the capital, Sana’a, and large areas of northern and western Yemen since late 2014. The internationally recognized Yemeni government uses Aden as its temporary capital.
