UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia: Strikes against civilians are unacceptable

The United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned the missile and drone attacks carried out against Saudi Arabia by the Iran-aligned Houthi rebel movement in Yemen. Riyadh said it had intercepted one of the attacks.

“Members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms the continuation of Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” particularly those targeting political and energy infrastructure, said a press statement issued by the president of the Security Council for this month, France’s ambassador to Yemen, Jerome Bonafont.

According to the statement, the attacks wounded civilians, including women and children.

The Council also condemned attacks on ships and threats directed against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The statement also stressed the need to ensure the safety of commercial vessels and their crews.

The 15 member states called for “practical cooperation,” particularly with the internationally recognized Government of Yemen, to prevent the Houthis from obtaining weapons, related materials, technical assistance, training and financing that could enable them to carry out military operations.

Council members also underscored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s inherent right to legitimate self-defense, in accordance with international law.

Later, the Houthis said they had carried out a ballistic missile and drone attack against command centers, as well as weapons and ammunition depots in southern Saudi Arabia.