UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

The UN Security Council has condemned continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and demanded an immediate halt to the escalation, citing attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure that it said had injured civilians. [5] [6]

France’s UN ambassador, Jérôme Bonnafont, presented the position of all 15 council members as the council’s president. The statement expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and said women and children were among those injured. [5] [6]

Members also condemned attacks and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. They affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defence in accordance with international law and stressed the need to respect international humanitarian law. [5] [6]

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on 24 September that they had launched missiles and drones at a target in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in the Red Sea city of Yanbu. [7]

Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted six Houthi ballistic missiles heading towards Taif and the Yanbu area. There was no immediate Saudi confirmation of an attack on Riyadh or of damage or casualties in Taif or Yanbu, Reuters reported. [7]

France pledges protection for Yanbu

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on 24 September that France would send soldiers, radar systems and defence systems to protect the Yanbu energy site, a key location for Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea. In an interview with TF1 and France 2, reported by Reuters, he described the mission’s purpose as protecting the site rather than involving France in conflicts. [9]