Countering the Houthis: Riyadh Secures UNSC Support, Warns Against External Backing

The UN Security Council (UNSC) has affirmed Saudi Arabia‘s inherent right to self-defense against Houthi aggression – a move welcomed by Riyadh as it faces escalating attacks on civilian objects, airports, and energy infrastructure.

As the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen carries out defensive operations to eliminate the threat posed by the Houthis on the Kingdom, Yemeni people, and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, warnings have increased against external parties providing military support to the Iranian-backed militia.

UNSC Backs Riyadh

Driving the News: On October 15, the UNSC issued a presidential statement strongly condemning the “reckless strikes” on King Khalid International Airport, which took place on October 10 and 11 and killed 13 people and wounded over 300 others. The statement also cited multiple attacks on other airports and Saudi Aramco facilities. It denounced continued Houthi attacks and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.

Why It Matters: The presidential statement, which requires the agreement of all 15 UNSC members, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s inherent right to self-defense in accordance with international law.

It underscored the importance of implementing UNSC Resolution 2216 (2015), which demands an arms embargo on the Houthis and their unconditional withdrawal from seized territories such as Sanaa.

With regard to this, the statement called for cooperation, including with the Government of Yemen, to prevent the Houthis from acquiring arms and related materiel, technical assistance, training, financing and other assistance that could facilitate further attacks.

A Welcome Move

The Big Picture: The Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed a UNSC presidential statement condemning Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the ongoing threats to navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

In a statement on Friday, October 16, 2026, the Kingdom emphasized the importance of implementing UNSC Resolution 2216 (2015). Saudi Arabia also stressed its inherent right to take all necessary measures to defend its security and protect its citizens and residents, in accordance with international law.

External Backing Exposed

Between the Lines: The Spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki revealed in a statement on October 15 that the Houthi militia obtained advanced technologies with the help of regional parties, becoming the first terrorist group to possess ballistic missiles, offensive and suicide drones, and explosive speedboats.

What to Watch: Al-Malki’s statements were reiterated by Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly, who noted that recent Houthi attacks were encouraged and backed by Iran. In press briefing remarks, reported by AFP, the AP, and Al-Arabiya English, Krimly also said that Tehran and its affiliated militia have benefited from Russian and Chinese capabilities and intelligence, sometimes through commercial entities.

What He Said: “We think the escalation by the Houthis at this later stage of the conflict is encouraged by Iran. Tehran continues to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in violation of its commitments in the Beijing agreement.” – Rayed Krimly, Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy.

Houthis Resist Peace

The Context: Krimly told reporters that the Houthis turned down a Saudi proposal to hold talks in Oman in July to end the ongoing escalation. He added that Riyadh has not requested Iranian mediation, emphasizing that Oman serves as a facilitator of these talks and not as a mediator.

The Backstory: After four years of relative calm, the Iranian-backed Houthi militia escalated attacks against the Kingdom, targeting its civilians and civilian infrastructure with drones and ballistic missiles. Since July 2026, the terrorist militia has attacked Riyadh, Taif, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran. It also attempted to target the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Most recently, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia’s airports, including King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd Airport in Dammam, as well as Abha, Jazan, and Najran airports, killing dozens of civilians and injuring hundreds.

By the Numbers:

• 20: Number of attacks launched by the Houthis on King Khalid International Airport from October 1-15.
• 19: Number of civilians killed in Houthi attacks on Saudi airports.
• 364: Number of civilians injured in Houthi attacks on Saudi airports.

Neutralizing The Threat

State of Play: As part of its support for Operation Dawn of Yemen, the Saudi-led Coalition is conducting defensive operations to eliminate Houthi capabilities and launch sites and halt the militia’s weapon-smuggling operations. Al-Malki posted footage on October 16 showing airstrikes against trucks, small boats, and storage facilities used in weapon-smuggling operations in Hodeidah city on the Red Sea. He later noted that the Coalition destroyed two ballistic missile launch platforms in Saada.

Over the past hours, the Coalition has also intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile heading toward Yanbu, two cruise missiles over the Red Sea, three drones over the southern and Riyadh regions, and one drone targeting the Eastern region.

Reality Check: As of October 15, the Coalition destroyed 127 warehouses in mountainous regions of Yemen, in addition to several launchpads. Meanwhile, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced that Operation Dawn of Yemen, backed by the Saudi-led Coalition, has conducted 17,000 aerial and ground strikes against Houthi military sites.

The Bottom Line: Saudi Arabia maintains a firm defensive posture, backed with strong international support at the UNSC, to protect its sovereignty and national security from proxy threats and to ensure long-term regional stability.