The Houthis have stepped up their attacks in the Middle East. Most recently, Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone before it could enter the airspace over Mecca.
A United Nations-brokered truce in April 2022 largely halted Houthi attacks on Saudi territory, but hostilities have escalated again since the group declared a blockade on Saudi shipping in July.
Saudi Arabia has also blamed a pro-Iranian militia based in Iraq for a September 11 attack that knocked out its East-West Pipeline, which transports oil across the Arabian desert, putting 4 million barrels per day at risk.
In early September, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks against four Saudi cities, wounding more than 70 civilians, including women and children, and igniting fires at critical oil facilities.
“These are the same tactics the Houthis are using to intimidate their fellow Yemenis,” said Jenifer Neidhart, U.S. Political Minister Counselor at the United Nations. “The Houthis have bombed cities, displacing thousands of families, while killing an indeterminate number of Yemeni civilians. Their strikes on Mokha have destroyed tens of millions of dollars of vital port infrastructure in Yemen.”
“These strikes represent flagrant violations of Saudi Arabia’s and Yemen’s sovereignty, and they pose a direct threat to regional and global energy security,” declared Ms. Neidhart.
“The pattern is unmistakable. The Houthis are agents and tools of Iran, and the Iranian hand behind these attacks is clear.”
These attacks are part of a broader Houthi campaign to threaten navigational rights and freedom of global commerce.
“The United States stands firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms the Kingdom’s right to defend its territory and citizens,” said Ms. Neidhart. “We also stand with the Republic of Yemen in its efforts to end Houthi terrorism and bring peace and stability to the Yemeni people.”
“We demand the Houthis immediately cease all attacks against Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s legitimate government, and international shipping.”
At the same time the United States calls out the Houthis’ continued unjust detention of UN staff, humanitarian workers, and diplomatic personnel including staff of the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a. All these hostages must be released immediately and without condition.
“The path forward,” said Ms. Neidhart, “requires depriving the Houthis of the resources that sustain their acts of terrorism, including through stronger implementation of [UN Security Council] resolutions.”
“This escalation is unacceptable, and those who enable it bear responsibility for its consequences.”
The United States will continue working with its partners to hold the Houthis accountable and restore stability to this vital region.