RIYADH(RAHNUMA): The UAE has condemned statements made by Yemen’s Houthi militia about Saudi Arabia, including the threat to impose a maritime blockade, the foreign ministry said early on Wednesday.
The ministry called on the international community to “ensure the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”
The ministry also said that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a right guaranteed under international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It also reaffirmed UAE’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding its security and stability.
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), also strongly condemned and denounced the Houthi statements, including the false allegations made against Saudi Arabia and groundless accusations, in a desperate and exposed attempt to distort facts and evade responsibility for the practices pursued by the group, which have contributed to deepening the suffering of the Yemeni people and threatening regional security and stability, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
“These irresponsible statements will not alter established facts, foremost among which are the sincere efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the Yemeni people, contribute to achieving security and stability, advance the path toward a political solution, and provide humanitarian and relief aid, driven by its responsibility toward Yemen and its people,” the secretary general stressed.
Albudaiwi further added: “The security of maritime navigation and the freedom of international trade represent a fundamental pillar for regional and international security and stability, and any attempts to target international waterways constitute an explicit violation of international law, the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
The secretary general called on the international community to take a firm stance against these false Houthi allegations and threats, and to work on implementing Security Council resolutions to ensure the protection of maritime navigation and prevent any practices that endanger the security of international maritime lanes.
Egypt, Sudan, Mauritania, Syria and the United Kingdom issued statements condemning the Houthi threats, joining a growing list of countries expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and warning against any escalation that could undermine regional security.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry denounced what it described as irresponsible threats against Saudi Arabia, saying they endangered regional stability, maritime navigation, international trade and vital waterways while violating international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Cairo reaffirmed its full support for Saudi Arabia and GCC member states and called for political and diplomatic solutions to preserve regional stability.
Syria similarly condemned what it called false accusations aimed at undermining Saudi Arabia’s regional role, expressing full solidarity with the Kingdom and praising its efforts to promote regional security, political solutions and dialogue.
Sudan warned that Houthi threats, including the proposed maritime blockade, jeopardize freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and efforts to achieve peace in Yemen. Khartoum reiterated its support for measures taken by Saudi Arabia to safeguard its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while urging the international community to increase pressure on the militia.
Mauritania also rejected “baseless” Houthi allegations against the Kingdom, saying the group’s threats endangered freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and international waterways. It reaffirmed its unwavering support for Saudi Arabia and its right to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and strategic interests.
In a statement, the UK that Houthi’s actions would further destabilize the region and undermine efforts to secure peace in Yemen, urging the Houthis to immediately halt their escalatory actions.
Pakistan on Wednesday said it unequivocally condemns the continued threats issued by the Houthis militia against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
“Threats against commercial shipping and trading with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are unacceptable and violate established principles of international law. Pakistan is particularly concerned by reports of threats directed against vessels engaged in lawful commercial trade with the Kingdom,” it said.
Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures it takes to protect its security and sovereignty and safeguard its interests.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister, held separate calls on Tuesday with his counterparts from Spain, Italy and Germany on Houthi threats to shipping in the Red Sea and efforts to deescalate wider tensions in the Middle East.
His ministry on Monday condemned claims by a Houthi military spokesperson that the militant group had imposed a maritime blockade on the Kingdom, and accused the Houthis of dragging Yemen into the wider regional conflict.
It also said: “The Kingdom affirms that it has worked over the past years with the legitimate government of Yemen to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people through the continuation of development projects, support for the Yemeni government’s budget and the provision of petroleum derivatives to operate power plants.”
A top UN official said on Monday that renewed threats by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea were concerning and called for an immediate deescalation.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters at a briefing: “We reiterate that Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024) and subsequent resolutions related to Houthi attacks against merchant and commercial vessels must be fully respected.”
