India has firmly condemned the latest Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, calling the targeting of civilian and economic infrastructure unacceptable and a direct threat to regional stability and maritime security. 

The attacks injured 73 civilians, including women and children, and prompted Riyadh to demand decisive international action under UN Security Council resolutions.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the deliberate targeting of Saudi sovereign territory, particularly civilian and economic facilities, was unacceptable.

He emphasised that such actions undermined regional security and stability while threatening freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb, a strategic maritime chokepoint vital for global trade.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Houthi militia carried out coordinated strikes across Abha, Jazan, Khamis Mushait, and Najran.

The escalation left 73 civilians injured, including women and children, and sparked fires at several installations. Emergency teams were deployed to contain the damage and provide medical assistance.

Riyadh also denounced continued Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, warning that persistent threats to international maritime transit lanes endangered global energy supplies and trade flows.

The Kingdom reiterated its categorical rejection of the militia’s hostile approach and criminal conduct, stressing that such aggression jeopardised the stability of Yemen and the wider Arab and Islamic region.

The Saudi foreign ministry asserted its sovereign right to take all necessary measures to defend national territory, safeguard strategic assets, and ensure the safety of citizens and residents.

It underscored a zero-tolerance policy towards territorial aggression, affirming that any infringement on sovereignty would be met with lawful responses under international legal principles.

The Kingdom further warned of the consequences of the terrorist Houthi militia’s continued targeting of innocent civilians and civilian facilities. It stressed the urgent need for an immediate halt to all forms of escalation and called for decisive international intervention.

Riyadh appealed for the enforcement of United Nations Security Council resolutions, specifically Resolution 2216 and Resolution 2722, which mandate the cessation of hostilities and compliance with peace efforts.

India’s condemnation aligns with its broader strategic interest in safeguarding maritime corridors and ensuring regional stability.

The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a critical artery for global energy shipments and trade. Disruptions in this passage could raise shipping costs and destabilise already strained supply chains, underscoring the gravity of the Houthi threat.

The attacks also come amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with the United States intensifying sanctions against Iran, the Houthis’ primary backer. The escalation highlights the fragile security environment in the region, where proxy conflicts continue to endanger civilian lives and international commerce.

India’s strong denunciation reflects its commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and the protection of global trade routes. By condemning the strikes, New Delhi has reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its determination to oppose actions that destabilise the region and threaten international law.

ANI