Arab Coalition Warns of “Decisive and Unprecedented” Response to Any Threat Against Saudi Arabia’s Security or Yemen’s Sovereignty

Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:

The Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen on Saturday warned of a “decisive and unprecedented” response to any attempts that threaten the security of Saudi Arabia or violate Yemen’s sovereignty, in the latest escalation of rhetoric following recent tensions involving the Houthi group.

Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said the Houthis were attempting, through their recent statements, to divert attention from the economic and humanitarian crisis in areas under their control and to evade responsibility for the hardships facing Yemenis.

He added that the coalition would continue taking what he described as the “necessary measures” to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s security and national assets and to prevent any violation of Yemen’s sovereignty, stressing that such measures would be carried out in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Al-Maliki accused the Houthis of continuing to obstruct efforts aimed at reaching a political settlement. He said Saudi Arabia and its international partners had presented initiatives to end the war, including a roadmap approved by the Yemeni government, but rejected by the Houthi group.

The coalition spokesperson also blamed the Houthis for escalating attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. According to the coalition, those attacks have damaged Yemen’s infrastructure and economic facilities, including ports, airports, and power stations.

Earlier, Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) held an emergency meeting to discuss Iran’s operation of a direct flight to Sana’a International Airport, which is under Houthi control, describing the move as a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and a breach of international law.

The council said the flight represented a new escalation, arguing that it reflected Iran’s continued support for the Houthis and undermined peace efforts led by the United Nations and regional actors to end the conflict.

It affirmed that the Yemeni government would take the necessary political, diplomatic, and legal measures to protect the country’s sovereignty and maintain control over its airspace and border crossings.

The council also accused the Houthis of continuing to undermine efforts toward a political settlement and of worsening Yemen’s economic and humanitarian crisis through military escalation and attacks on maritime navigation, holding both the group and Iran responsible for the consequences of the latest development.

The statement called on the United Nations, the UN Security Council, and international partners to take “deterrent” measures to prevent what it described as Iranian violations and to tighten oversight of channels used to support, arm, and finance the Houthis.

Earlier, the Houthi group confirmed that an Iranian civilian aircraft had arrived at Sana’a International Airport carrying patients, wounded individuals, and stranded people affiliated with the group. The aircraft later transported a Houthi delegation to Iran to attend the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The group also reiterated that flights between Sana’a and Tehran would continue “regardless of the consequences or repercussions.”