Saudi foreign minister warns Houthis over escalating tensions

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan affirmed that the Kingdom will not hesitate to defend itself against any attacks, stressing that it will use all available means to protect its interests.

Bin Farhan added that Saudi Arabia will not hesitate to support what serves the interests of Yemen and the region, and will employ every available tool to safeguard its interests and defend itself, according to Al Arabiya.

He stated that the Houthis have opened a door they cannot handle, as the group is attempting to export its internal problems in Yemen to Saudi Arabia. He noted that the Houthis resort to violence whenever they find themselves in a difficult position, insisting on imposing further suffering on the Yemeni people instead of engaging responsibly in the political process.

At the same time, Bin Farhan emphasized that the diplomatic path for dealing with the Houthis remains open, reaffirming the continued possibility of pursuing political solutions to address the crisis. He explained that the legitimate Yemeni government has provided an opportunity to negotiate with the Houthis responsibly, but the group prefers to prioritize its own narrow interests over those of Yemen and its people.