Saudi Arabia condemns Houthi attacks and pledges “full support” for Yemen’s government

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Houthi attacks on civilian areas, economic facilities and religious sites, as Al Jazeera reports in its live blog on the Iran war. The statement comes as fighting in Yemen escalates significantly.

In its statement, the kingdom reaffirmed its “full political and military support” for the internationally recognised Yemeni government and called on the international community, in particular the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to provide support.

The condemnation follows a series of Houthi attacks, including claims that they targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and the Aramco refinery in Rabigh, as well as the Saudi-led coalition’s naval operation in Hodeidah province.

Meanwhile, Turkey and Pakistan have agreed on a rapid military deployment to Saudi Arabia under the “Mecca Alliance”, following an emergency meeting — a new sign of the escalation of collective efforts against the Iran-backed Houthis.