Oman, Kuwait, Qatar condemn Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia

Oman, Kuwait and Qatar on Thursday strongly condemned Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, expressing solidarity with the kingdom and support for measures taken to protect its security, stability and sovereignty.

The Foreign Ministry denounced the “criminal, sinful and treacherous” targeting of Mecca and said it rejects any violation of the sanctity of holy sites or threat to the safety of pilgrims.

Muscat also expressed solidarity with SaudiArabia in the steps it takes to safeguard its security, stability and sovereignty.

Oman urged countries in the region to intensify cooperation and coordination to address outstanding bilateral, regional and multilateral issues in a way that guarantees the rights of all states to security, stability and a safe and dignified life.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned and denounced a Houthi drone attack targeting Taif province in Saudi Arabia.

“The attack constituted a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and a breach of international law and international humanitarian law,” it said in a statement.

It affirmed its “absolute solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken by the kingdom to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability and protect its citizens and residents.

Qatar also strongly condemned the “disgraceful aggressive behavior” and said it showed “an unacceptable disregard for civilian lives.”

The Foreign Ministry said the attack constituted “a blatant violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and a clear breach of international law.”

Qatar reaffirmed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all legitimate measures taken to protect its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and interests.

It stressed that Saudi Arabia’s security is “an integral part of the security of the State of Qatar and the collective security system of the Gulf Cooperation Council.”

One person was killed and two injured Thursday by debris from a drone Saudi authorities said was launched by Yemen’s Houthi group and intercepted above the western city of Taif, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone that it said was launched by Yemen’s Houthi group toward Mecca before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis denied responsibility for the attack.

The Saudi-led coalition said the incident was the second attempt to target Mecca since 2017.

Türkiye and several Arab countries, along with Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Poland, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Muslim World League, also condemned the attack.

Saudi Arabia has faced missile and drone attacks in recent days that have been attributed to the Houthi group amid an escalating military situation in the region.

Fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis has intensified since early July.

The renewed fighting ended a period of relative calm that had largely prevailed since a UN-brokered truce took effect in April 2022.

Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis seized the national capital, Sanaa, and several provinces in September 2014. That prompted a Saudi-led Arab coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government.