Saudi Cabinet: Houthi militia will face the consequences of its attacks on the Kingdom
Agencies3 min read
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The Saudi Cabinet affirmed on Tuesday that the Houthi militia will face the consequences of its crimes and repeated attacks on the Kingdom's airports, Mecca, Medina, visitors of the Two Holy Mosques, and civilian and economic facilities, expressing its condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh, during which the Cabinet praised the role of the armed forces in defending the Kingdom, protecting its achievements and resources, and deterring any attack or threat to its sovereignty and the safety of citizens and residents on its territories.
The Council commended the military operations carried out by the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen to neutralize the threat of the Houthi militia to the Yemeni people, protect international peace and security, global trade movement, and supply chains, stressing that the Kingdom will not allow any threat to its security or freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
The Council also praised the restoration of oil flows through the "East-West" pipeline, pointing out that the speed of recovery reflects the operational flexibility of the Kingdom's energy system and its ability to deal with emergencies, which enhances the reliability of supplies to international markets and supports the global economy.
The Council was briefed on the results of the talks and meetings held over the past days between Saudi Arabia and sisterly and friendly countries to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation and coordination in facing common challenges.
Field developments
On the ground, sources from Sana'a reported airstrikes targeting the Al-Sabahah oil station affiliated with the Houthi militia on Tuesday, following a request by the Saudi-led coalition to evacuate the Yemeni Oil Company site and the central Al-Sabahah station in preparation for a military operation.
News of the airstrikes coincided with the Coalition's announcement of intercepting and destroying three drone aircraft north of Riyadh, while the Spokesperson for the Forces of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, Major General Turki al-Maliki, called on civilians to evacuate the specific site shown on an explanatory map to ensure their safety.
In response, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced that the militia forces are confronting the attacks targeting Sana'a, threatening a "harsh and painful" response in Riyadh if the Yemeni capital is attacked.
Saree called on workers and citizens near Aramco facilities to evacuate them, and demanded the evacuation of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, renewing his warnings to airlines regarding the airspace and airports he previously announced, and threatening to target the sites that the militia demanded to evacuate if Sana'a is subjected to an attack.
This escalation comes after the Coalition announced on Monday the interception of two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia towards Khamis Mushait, and amid tensions that affected vital facilities and air traffic in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation had announced the extension of the suspension of operational activities at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
International positions
The Turkish Presidency announced that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed his country's standing by Saudi Arabia and condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi territory during a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia also called on US citizens to reconsider traveling to the Kingdom due to the risks of targeting US interests.
