Saudi Arabia Repels Houthi Threat as UNSC Condemns Iran’s Destabilizing Role in Yemen

Saudi Arabia’s air defenses have intercepted Houthi ballistic missile threats targeting the Kingdom’s southern region, marking a new escalation by the Iranian-backed militia in Yemen.

In response to the flagrant attacks, UN Security Council (UNSC) members voiced strong support for Saudi Arabia, denouncing Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region and its continued backing of the Houthis.

Deterring Houthi Threats

The Spokesperson for the Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said in a statement on Monday that Saudi air defenses have dealt with ballistic missile threats launched by the terrorist Houthi Militia towards the Southern Region.

The Big Picture: The Houthis declared an end to their “de-escalation phase” with Saudi Arabia, launching ballistic missiles towards the Kingdom’s southern regions, all of which were successfully intercepted.

Backstory: Earlier in July, Al-Maliki warned that the Coalition would respond with “unprecedented determination and force to any and all attempts to target the Kingdom, its citizens and residents and national assets.”

The warning followed a Houthi threat to target Saudi Arabia’s airports and vital interests, claiming that the Kingdom had violated Yemeni airspace after preventing an Iranian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport.

Iranian-Backed Escalation

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), chaired by President Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, held the Houthi and the Iranian regime fully responsible for the recent escalation.

During a meeting with the National Defense Council on Monday, the Yemeni leadership reaffirmed that “no foreign aircraft would be permitted to enter, land at, or operate flights to any airport in the Republic of Yemen without the approval of the government and the competent authorities, describing this as an exclusive sovereign right of the state.”

Furthermore, they warned the Houthis of the consequences of continuing their policy of escalation and endangering the security and stability of Yemen and its people.

State of Play: The Yemeni Armed Forces announced that they targeted the runway at Sanaa Airport to prevent an unauthorized Iranian aircraft from landing.

“Our armed forces and security services were placed on the highest level of readiness and carried out the necessary defensive measures by targeting the runway at Sanaa Airport to protect national sovereignty,” President Al-Alimi said in a statement.

He added that he had instructed commanders not to expand the confrontation in order to prevent Iran from dragging Yemen and its people into wars that serve Tehran’s own interests. However, he warned that the state would not tolerate future violations of Yemeni airspace.

International Solidarity

Against the backdrop of unauthorized Iranian flights to and from Yemen, the UNSC held an emergency meeting to discuss the recent escalation. UN officials and member states expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the Houthi attacks, warning that Iranian behavior threatens to drag Yemen and the region into instability.

What They Said:

• The UK: Ambassador Kate Foster strongly condemned the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia as “reckless” actions that threaten regional security and undermine efforts to secure peace in Yemen. “The UK stands in full solidarity with our Gulf partners,” she confirmed. She also expressed deep concern over Iranian unauthorized flights to and from Yemen. “If verified, reports that flights may have transported military personnel, technical experts and equipment to support Houthi military capabilities would raise serious concerns,” she said.
• France: Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont accused Iran of violating international law. “It speaks to Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region. These actions must end,” he noted.
• The US: Envoy Tammy Bruce accused Iran of using a July 3 flight to “ferry Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel – including drone and missile experts – in support of Houthi terrorism.” She warned that “this kind of support enables the Houthis to terrorize the Yemeni people and threaten freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.” Bruce reiterated Washington’s support for its Gulf partners and Yemen’s Government against the Iranian-supported Houthi terrorist threat.

• Bahrain: Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei denounced the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. He also condemned Iran’s attacks against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States and continued closure of Strait of Hormuz. Moreover, he pointed out that the Houthi threats have expanded to target the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

US Support for Saudi Arabia

In response to the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, the US reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Kingdom, highlighting the strength of the bilateral strategic partnership.

Speaking to Al-Arabiya English, a US State Department official stressed that Washington stands firmly with Riyadh against Iranian aggression, including Iran-backed Houthi attacks, underscoring the US commitment to the Kingdom’s security and regional stability.

The official also noted that the US national security interests remain focused on ensuring the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terrorism.