After Saudi Arabia announced that 73 civilians had been injured in the attacks, the UK called on the Houthis to prevent further escalation of the conflict in Yemen and regional tensions. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office condemned the Houthis’ decision on Thursday to resume the war in Yemen and their latest attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The ministry said the attacks threatened regional stability, freedom of navigation and trade routes passing through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Civilian infrastructure and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia were also targeted.
The UK said it stood with Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s internationally recognized government and its partners in the region. London also said that Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen had the right under international law to defend their security and sovereignty.
London calls on Houthis to stop attacks
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office accused the Houthis of exposing Yemenis to further danger and deepening humanitarian suffering. The ministry said it was working with its partners to support regional stability, protect civilians and ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid.
The statement called on the Houthis to stop the attacks and immediately de-escalate tensions.
Saudi Arabia says 73 civilians were injured
Saudi Arabia said 73 civilians were injured in attacks carried out by the Houthis on economic sites in four cities on Tuesday. The attacks were followed by fires and temporary disruptions at some facilities linked to the energy sector.
A military escalation between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis also took place during the same period on several fronts, particularly in the provinces of Taiz, Al Jawf and Al Bayda. Houthi positions were targeted in airstrikes.
Claims about developments in western Yemen
Yemeni government forces said they had established a command center near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, south of the city of Mokha on the Red Sea coast, following Houthi advances on several fronts in the west of the country.
Some activists on social media claimed that the Houthis had seized the districts of Hays and Huhah in southern Hudaydah province and published footage they alleged showed armed men. El-Masdar Online, an independent Yemeni media outlet, reported that the Houthis had reached the strategic port of Mokha after taking the two districts.
The Houthis control the capital, Sana’a, as well as most of the provinces of Dhamar, Al Bayda, Ibb, Al Mahwit and Hudaydah. The group also controls most of Hajjah and Saada provinces and parts of Taiz, Lahij and Al-Dhalea provinces.
The Yemeni government and its allies control the temporary capital, Aden, as well as Al Mahrah in the east and Hadramout, Shabwah and Abyan provinces in the south. Government forces also control most of the provinces of Lahij, Taiz and Al-Dhalea.
Saudi Arabia has led the coalition supporting the Yemeni government since March 2015. The Houthis have controlled Sana’a and various Yemeni provinces since September 2014.
