Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of encouraging Houthi escalation

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging the latest Houthi escalation and of continuing to arm and train the group, as the Houthis struck the presidential palace in the Yemeni city of Aden, killing two guards.

“Iran continues to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions,” Dr Rayed Krimly, deputy minister for public diplomacy at the Saudi foreign ministry, told reporters in a virtual briefing on Thursday, Dawn reported.

“We think that the escalation by the Houthis at this latest stage of the conflict is encouraged by Iran,” he said.

Talks with Tehran continue

Krimly said the kingdom remained in direct contact with Iran, even though Tehran appeared unwilling to offer concessions. “Overall, it doesn’t seem yet that the Iranians are able to provide the necessary concessions for a solution,” he said.

He also said the Houthis had refused a Saudi invitation to meet in Muscat, Oman, at the start of the escalation. “This was the last communication which happened a few weeks ago,” he said.

Iran has officially denied arming the Houthis in violation of a UN arms embargo.

The toll on Saudi Arabia

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the Houthis had attempted to attack dozens of Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities:

• Riyadh airport: 20 attacks on King Khalid International Airport this month, killing 17 people and wounding 333
• Abha airport: attacks near the Yemeni border killed three people and wounded 28
• Coalition strikes: 127 weapons storage facilities and launch platforms destroyed in Yemen’s mountains

Maliki said the Houthis had acquired ballistic missiles, drones and explosive-laden fast boats with the help of “regional actors”. He called on the Houthis to halt attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, saying they should read the coalition’s statement “between the lines”. The governing council of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization condemned the attacks on civilian airports and aircraft in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis responded that Saudi airspace and airports were unsafe, renewing a warning to airlines while excluding the airspace over Makkah and Madina.

Aden palace hit

The Houthis fired missiles and drones at the al-Maashiq presidential palace complex in Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, The Express Tribune reported, citing Reuters. Officials said two guards were killed.

It was the first attack on the palace in the current conflict. Yemen’s Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the prime minister and cabinet members were safe. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had targeted what he called the Saudi military operations headquarters in Aden.

Government forces last week recaptured ground near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while residents of Taiz say they face intensifying bombardment and dwindling supplies.

Why it matters

By blaming Iran directly, Riyadh has widened the dispute beyond Yemen, while still keeping a channel open to Tehran. Pakistan, which has close ties with both countries, has condemned the Houthi attacks and backed dialogue. Read our reports on Pakistan’s statement at the UN Security Council and on Umrah pilgrims caught up in the strikes.

This article draws on reporting by Dawn, The Express Tribune and Reuters.