Arab countries condemn Houthi attempt to target Saudi Arabia’s Madinah region

Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan denounce Iran-backed group for attempted ballistic missile attack on Saudi Arabia

Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan on Thursday condemned an attempt by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group to target Saudi Arabia’s Madinah region with a ballistic missile, reaffirming full solidarity with Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed the missile while also downing a Houthi drone over the kingdom’s Eastern Province. In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry described the attempt as “a blatant provocation of Muslims, a reckless disregard for civilian lives,” a violation of Saudi sovereignty and a breach of international law. The ministry reaffirmed Qatar’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all legitimate measures taken by the kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and interests. Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry expressed its outright rejection of the continued attacks, calling them “a flagrant violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, international law and international humanitarian law.” The ministry reiterated Kuwait’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia and its backing for all measures taken by the kingdom to protect its sovereignty and security and safeguard the lives of citizens and residents. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said targeting Madinah was not only a threat to civilians and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque but also an assault on the sanctity of Islamic holy sites that offends Muslims worldwide. The ministry renewed Bahrain’s call on the UN Security Council to take firm and deterrent measures to halt repeated Houthi attacks, prevent the targeting of religious holy sites and civilian objects, and hold perpetrators and their supporters accountable. The condemnations were also echoed by Jordan, which described the attempt to target the Madinah region with a ballistic missile as a provocation to Muslims’ sentiments, a flagrant violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, a threat to its security and stability, and a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter. In a statement, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the country’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, stressing its support for all measures taken by the kingdom to safeguard its security, stability, sovereignty and the safety of its citizens and residents. The Saudi-led coalition said Thursday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia toward the Madinah region. The Houthis rejected claims that they targeted Madinah. Yemen has been engulfed in a civil war since the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and other areas in September 2014. The Saudi-led Arab coalition has supported the internationally recognized Yemeni government since March 2015. Fighting has intensified in recent weeks, with the Houthis launching repeated missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory.