UNSC condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia | NHK WORLD

UNSC condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

The United Nations Security Council has condemned attacks on an international airport and other sites in Saudi Arabia by Yemen's anti-government Houthi rebel group. The council unanimously adopted a presidential statement expressing solidarity with the Saudis.

The Houthis earlier this month carried out a series of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Saudi Arabia said the strikes left 17 people dead and more than 300 others wounded.

The statement adopted on Thursday with the agreement of all 15 UNSC members says they "condemned in the strongest terms continued and escalatory Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including attacks impacting civilian aviation and energy infrastructure."

Furthermore, the statement expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia and notes that the members affirmed the country's inherent right to self-defense in accordance with international law.

A UNSC presidential statement is not legally binding, but the pressure on the Houthis is expected to increase as the 15 council members, including China and Russia, agreed on the idea.

The statement also calls on UN member nations to fully implement the embargo aimed at preventing the Houthis from obtaining weapons and funds necessary for attacks.