UN Security Council condemns escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping
The UN Security Council denounced recent Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, including a deadly airport attack, and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's right to self-defence.
On Oct 15 the UN Security Council released a joint declaration condemning what it described as "escalatory" attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The statement censured repeated strikes on Saudi soil, including a recent assault on Riyadh's international airport that resulted in 13 fatalities and more than 300 injuries, as well as threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
It affirmed Saudi Arabia's inherent right of self-defence under international law. The council also referenced a missile interception near the holy city of Medina and a missile attack on the presidential palace in Aden that killed five and wounded 16 people. While the Houthis claim they avoid targeting Islamic holy sites, they have denied involvement in the airport strike.
Why it matters
The condemnation underscores international concern over rising regional violence and its impact on global shipping lanes.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Yemeni government troops capture key positions on Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Oct 12 The Omani embassy thanked Saudi authorities for the medical care provided to an injured Omani doctor.
- Oct 12 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey demanded an immediate and unconditional halt to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
- Oct 12 Saudi officials announced the continued closure of King Khalid International Airport pending safety inspections.
- Oct 12 Saudi authorities have extended the shutdown of King Khalid International Airport until Saturday after renewed Houthi missile and drone strikes, prompting airlines to cancel flights to and from Riyadh.
- Oct 12 Airport shutdown extended to Oct 17 for safety checks.
- Oct 13 Delta postponed its inaugural Atlanta‑Riyadh flight.
- Oct 13 IndiGo and Akasa Air have prolonged the cancellation of flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 17 because of heightened security threats in the region.
- Oct 13 Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported hitting a supertanker attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oct 13 Saudi civil defence alerts stopped operating before the attacks, leaving no public warnings.
- Oct 13 A missile hit the administrative building of Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, causing a minor blaze but no injuries.
- 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 Saudi‑led coalition launched air strikes on Houthi positions in Sanaa, breaking the 2022 ceasefire
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