Malaysia denounces Houthi strikes and urges safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian sites and called for secure navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.
Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, issued a statement condemning Houthi attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council states, citing the deadly strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that left at least 20 people dead and hundreds wounded. He expressed deep concern over the widening Middle-East conflict and reaffirmed Malaysia’s support for Palestinian rights and opposition to violence in Lebanon.
Anwar said he has been in close contact with regional leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Salman and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani, to stress the urgency of preventing further spread of the crisis. While condemning the attacks, he clarified that Malaysia’s grievance is with the attackers, not the Yemeni population, which deserves a lasting political solution. The prime minister also underscored the strategic importance of Middle-East sea lanes for Malaysia’s economy and called for safe passage of civilian and commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He pledged ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect freedom of navigation.
Why it matters
Malaysia’s condemnation signals its stance on Middle-East security and highlights risks to vital global shipping routes.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Yemeni government troops capture key positions on Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Oct 14 The coalition struck Sanaa’s al‑Suhaba fuel facility and warned nearby residents to evacuate.
- Oct 15 Air India joins IndiGo and Akasa Air in suspending Saudi flights.
- Oct 15 Turkey announced it is reviewing defensive support for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca pact.
- Oct 15 Saudi‑led coalition launched air strikes on Houthi positions in Sanaa, breaking the 2022 ceasefire
- Oct 16 Missiles hit Aden airport and a ballistic missile targeting Yanbu was intercepted.
- Oct 17 President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt stands ready to defend Saudi Arabia if requested and called for an emergency parliamentary session to authorize such action.
- Oct 18 Airlines have extended their flight suspensions to October 17.
- Oct 18 Egyptian parliament scheduled an emergency plenary meeting to consider a defence mandate for Saudi Arabia.
- Oct 19 At least 18 people were killed and more than 30 injured when Houthi forces fired three ballistic missiles at the al-Aiam military camp in Shabwa during a training drill.
- Oct 19 The Houthis publicly claimed the missiles hit Saudi officers.
- Oct 20 Parliament announced a plenary meeting to discuss the request, with a vote expected this week.
- Oct 20 Britain’s Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced that RAF Typhoons will conduct defensive counter-air missions over Saudi cities and critical infrastructure. The operation is purely protective and will not involve offensive strikes on Houthi positions. The deployment follows a series of deadly Houthi missile hits on Saudi airports and oil facilities, which have also disrupted Red Sea shipping. An A400 transport plane is also slated to deliver supplies as part of the plan approved by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- Oct 20 Britain announced it will defend Saudi Arabia while explicitly ruling out offensive strikes.
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