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Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms the Houthi militia’s attacks on southern areas of Saudi Arabia that deliberately targeted civilians, national assets and civilian infrastructure. The GCC chief stressed that these recurring assaults reveal the group’s malicious intentions and its rejection of all initiatives aimed at achieving peace and stability in Yemen. Albudaiwi added that such actions constitute a condemned terrorist act that cannot be justified under any pretext and represent a direct challenge to the international community.
The statement from the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh described the attacks as a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms with a deliberate disregard for civilian safety. It noted that the incidents resulted in injuries to civilians while posing a serious threat to regional and international security and peace. The secretary-general called for a firm and deterrent stance by the international community to hold the perpetrators and their supporters accountable and to prevent further such behavior.
Albudaiwi reiterated that the security of Saudi Arabia forms an integral part of the security of all GCC member states. The council stands united with the Kingdom in confronting any threats to its security, stability, sovereignty and national capabilities, he added. The statement expressed full support for all measures taken by Saudi authorities to protect its territory, citizens and residents while wishing the injured a swift and complete recovery.
The condemnation follows a pattern of similar GCC statements issued in recent months, including one on August 7 that addressed Houthi strikes on the Najran region injuring several civilians, according to reports from the Sana news agency. Earlier expressions of denunciation also targeted Houthi allegations against Saudi Arabia in July, as covered by Al Arabiya English. These repeated incidents underscore the ongoing tensions stemming from the Yemen conflict that have persisted for more than a decade.
Houthi actions have extended beyond Saudi territory to include threats against maritime navigation in the Red Sea, which the secretary-general previously described as violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant Security Council resolutions. The GCC has consistently urged global actors to implement measures protecting international shipping lanes vital to trade. Such threats have compounded the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where millions continue to face instability linked to the militia’s activities.
Arab News reporting on the latest attacks placed the number of wounded at 73 across affected southern cities while noting damage to property and economic sites. The GCC position aligns with broader Arab state condemnations, including statements from Kuwait, Egypt and Qatar that echoed the call for accountability. Albudaiwi’s latest remarks reinforce the council’s long-standing policy viewing any aggression against one member as a threat to the entire bloc.
