Kuwait backs Saudi as Houthi attacks escalate

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 15: Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday strongly condemned Houthi militia attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects in the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif. The attacks, carried out with ballistic missiles and drones, injured several civilians and damaged residential homes and vehicles, constituting a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty and international law, including international humanitarian law. In a statement, the ministry affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken to safeguard the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security, stability and national interests, as well as to protect its citizens and residents. It stressed that Saudi Arabia’s security is an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Cabinet condemned the continued Houthi attacks against civilians and civilian facilities in the Kingdom. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted Information Minister Salman Al- Dosary as saying the Cabinet issued the remarks during a session chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah. The Cabinet affirmed that the Kingdom’s security, territorial integrity and national resources are inviolable, and reiterated its legitimate right to defend itself and protect its sovereignty, citizens, residents and vital interests under the UN Charter and international law. Earlier, Saudi Civil Defense declared the danger over in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif after activating the early warning system and urging residents to follow safety instructions.

It had called on residents to seek shelter indoors, away from windows and exposed areas, remain there until the danger had passed, and follow official instructions issued through authorized channels. Bahrain also condemned the Houthi missile and drone attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif, which injured civilians and caused damage to homes and vehicles. In a statement, the Bahraini Foreign Ministry described the attacks as a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions. It said Saudi Arabia’s security and stability were integral to Bahrain’s national security, and reaffirmed Manama’s full solidarity with the Kingdom and support for measures taken to protect its sovereignty, security, citizens and residents, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Bahrain urged the Security Council to assume its responsibilities, adopt a firm position against the repeated attacks, hold those responsible accountable and ensure the implementation of relevant resolutions, particularly Resolutions 2216 (2015) and 2817 (2026). Qatar likewise condemned the Houthi attacks, describing them as reprehensible acts of aggression and a blatant violation of Saudi sovereignty and international law. In a statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the attacks reflected a reckless disregard for civilian lives and called for an immediate end to such acts. It reaffirmed Qatar’s support for all legitimate measures to protect Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national interests.

The ministry stressed that the Kingdom’s security was integral to Qatar’s security and the collective security of GCC states. It wished those injured a speedy recovery and expressed hope that Saudi Arabia and its people would remain safe. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi strongly condemned what he described as continued terrorist attacks by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia. In a statement, Al-Budaiwi said the repeated targeting of civilians and civilian facilities with ballistic missiles and drones represented a dangerous criminal escalation and a blatant violation of international law. He said the attacks directly threatened the Kingdom’s security, stability, citizens and residents, reaffirming the GCC states’ unity with Saudi Arabia and their support for measures taken to protect its territory, people, security and national resources. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy also condemned the attacks, describing them as an unacceptable violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, as well as a threat to civilian lives and regional stability. In a statement, Fahmy expressed full solidarity with the Kingdom and support for measures taken to protect its security, sovereignty and citizens. He stressed that Saudi Arabia’s security was an integral part of Arab national security. He warned that the continued targeting of Arab states would deepen tensions, fuel further escalation and threaten regional security and stability. Elsewhere, Head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell Lt. Gen. Saad Maan said Tuesday that Iraq would not allow attacks against countries in the region, adding that investigations were under way to identify those responsible for launching drones at Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi News Agency (INA) quoted Maan as saying that Iraq respected and valued all neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, and sought to serve as a positive point of convergence in the Middle East and beyond. Regarding attacks launched from Iraqi territory, Maan said the competent authorities had contacted their Saudi counterparts and located inside Iraq the launch platform used to send the drones. He said investigations were continuing to identify those involved, adding that the immediate focus was on determining responsibility for the attacks. Maan said Iraq had adopted a new vision and approach aimed at preventing anyone from creating confusion or dragging the country into actions it did not support. (KUNA)