Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated Tuesday that while the Kingdom remains committed to diplomacy, it will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty and interests following Houthi attacks last night, according to Israeli media reports.
Following the Saudi Foreign Ministry's condemnation of the Houthi attacks earlier today, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan issued a personal statement Tuesday afternoon reiterating the Kingdom's resolve. Speaking after the overnight strikes that wounded 73 civilians across Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, Prince Faisal emphasized that while Saudi Arabia remains committed to diplomacy, it will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty and interests. The statement marks the highest-level Saudi response to the attack and signals Riyadh's determination to respond militarily if necessary.
Earlier Tuesday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and vowed a response, as reported by N12. The Houthis launched a major assault using ballistic missiles and drones targeting King Khalid Air Base, Abha International Airport, an Aramco oil storage facility, and the Jazan refinery, according to Abu Ali Express. Saudi authorities confirmed 73 civilians wounded. In response, 40 Saudi fighter jets struck Houthi targets in Yemen, per Al-Akhbar. The Saudi-led coalition also attributed the attacks to Yemen and stated it would not tolerate further aggression, as reported by ynet and i24NEWS.
The escalation comes amid a broader confrontation between the Iran-backed Houthi terror group and Gulf states. The Zioneer reported on July 31 that Saudi Arabia was preparing a sea and ground offensive in central Yemen to break the Houthi oil blockade, including the formation of a 14-nation maritime coalition. Earlier, on June 18, Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated that Israel is part of the region but warned that a military-only approach would fail, reflecting the Kingdom's complex diplomatic posture. Regional allies Bahrain and Kuwait welcomed the UN Security Council's condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia on August 9.
It remains unclear whether the Houthis will launch further attacks following Prince Faisal's statement. The Houthi spokesperson previously reaffirmed on July 30 the group's intention to continue defending Yemen's sovereignty and break the siege. Whether the Saudi-led coalition will escalate beyond airstrikes to a ground maneuver—as The Zioneer reported was being prepared—also remains an open question.
7 developments
- DevelopingSaudi Arabia warns Houthis: 'We will respond forcefully to any attempt to harm the kingdom'
- DevelopingSaudi FM: Stability cannot be achieved through military force alone
- DevelopingHouthi foreign ministry warns Saudi Arabia, threatens regime collapse
- DevelopingHouthi foreign ministry warns Saudi Arabia: disrupting Sanaa airport will have consequences
Source and signal
- Open-source intake