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NEW YORK: The UN Security Council threw its weight behind Saudi Arabia on Friday, condemning \u201cin the strongest terms\u201d continued Houthi attacks on the kingdom and affirming Riyadh\u2019s right to defend itself as the group\u2019s strikes on Saudi territory show no sign of slowing.<\/p>\n
In a statement, council members condemned \u201ccontinued Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including attacks impacting civilian and energy infrastructure, which have resulted in the injury of civilians, including women and children.\u201d<\/p>\n
The council backed Riyadh directly, affirming \u201cthe inherent right of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to self-defence in accordance with international law\u201d and expressing solidarity with the kingdom \u201cin the face of attacks impacting civilians and civilian objects on its territory.\u201d<\/p>\n
Members also condemned attacks and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, stressing that Houthi forces must respect \u201cinternational law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,\u201d and uphold freedom of navigation.<\/p>\n
They called for practical cooperation, including with Yemen\u2019s government, to enforce the arms embargo on the Houthis under council resolution 2216 and prevent the group from obtaining weapons, training or financing for further attacks.<\/p>\n
The council also issued a warning over the deteriorating humanitarian situation inside Yemen, where the UN says at least 125,000 people have been displaced nationwide since the start of September because of the Houthi offensive.<\/p>\n
It also renewed its demand for the \u201cunconditional, safe and immediate release of detainees, including 73 United Nations personnel\u201d and staff from non-governmental and civil society organizations held by the group.<\/p>\n
Council members said the widening confrontation \u2014 Houthi strikes on Saudi territory, threats to shipping in the Red Sea and advances near the Bab al-Mandab strait \u2014 risked \u201cfurther expanding the conflict, threatening maritime security and international trade, and undermining regional and international efforts to secure peace in Yemen.\u201d<\/p>\n
They reaffirmed support for UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg\u2019s push for a Yemeni-led political settlement.<\/p>\n
The statement comes amid the heaviest run of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia since a years-long truce in Yemen\u2019s civil war collapsed in July.<\/p>\n
The Saudi-led military coalition reported a Sept. 8 barrage that wounded 73 people and hit Aramco energy infrastructure near the Yemeni border \u2014 among the worst since the conflict reignited \u2014 followed by near-daily strikes on Khamis Mushait, Abha, Jazan and Najran through mid-September, including an attack on Sept. 14 that wounded 13 more civilians and damaged homes and vehicles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n