UN condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

The UN Security Council has condemned continued attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group on Saudi Arabia, including strikes affecting civilian and energy infrastructure that have reportedly caused civilian casualties.

The Council demanded that the Houthis immediately end their military escalation and attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. 

Members also reiterated their condemnation of threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab Strait, stressing the need to protect vessels and their crews.

UN officials told the Council that at least 125,000 people have been displaced across Yemen since the beginning of September as renewed fighting intensifies across multiple fronts. The UN also reported civilian casualties and warned that further escalation could deepen the country’s already severe humanitarian crisis.

The Council called for safe and unhindered humanitarian access and demanded the unconditional release of detained UN personnel and other humanitarian and diplomatic staff.

Members also urged cooperation with Yemen’s internationally recognised government to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons, military training, technical assistance and financing.

The Security Council reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defence under international law and backed UN-led efforts toward a negotiated, inclusive and Yemeni-led political settlement