Saudi Cabinet Backs Yemen, Welcomes Makkah Defence Alliance Measures
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet on Tuesday reaffirmed the Kingdom’s full support for Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and internationally recognized government as fighting intensifies against the Iran-backed Houthis.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, reiterated Saudi support for efforts aimed at restoring Yemen’s state institutions and achieving security and stability in the country, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Cabinet said the Houthis had chosen military escalation over efforts toward peace, worsening Yemen’s humanitarian and economic crisis and posing growing risks to regional security and maritime navigation in the southern Red Sea and the strategically vital Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
The Saudi position comes amid one of the sharpest escalations in Yemen since the UN-brokered truce of 2022.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government launched a major military offensive against the Houthis on Sunday, with Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi saying operations would continue to reclaim territory held by the group.
Yemeni government forces have since made advances along the Red Sea coast, retaking territory around the strategically important Bab Al-Mandab Strait and the port city of Mokha, according to Yemeni officials.
At the same time, Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia have intensified.
Saudi civil aviation authorities said earlier on Tuesday that three people were injured after Najran and Jazan airports were targeted in two separate attacks, which also caused material damage.
Riyadh has also accused the Houthis of attempts to target the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, along with attacks on civilian and economic infrastructure in Riyadh, Abha, Khamis Mushayt, Jazan, Najran, Taif and Yanbu.
Cabinet Welcomes Makkah Alliance Decisions
The Saudi Cabinet also welcomed the outcome of Monday’s emergency meeting of the Makkah Alliance for Defense, comprising Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye.
The three countries condemned attempts to target Makkah and Madinah as well as attacks against Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities.
The alliance also agreed to move immediately toward the practical implementation of its collective-defense commitments.
The measures include providing agreed military forces and capabilities and ensuring their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia, aimed at strengthening military readiness, integration and collective deterrence among the three countries.
Crown Prince Briefs Cabinet on Syria Talks
At the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman briefed the Cabinet on his talks with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
The two leaders reviewed Saudi-Syrian relations, opportunities for further cooperation and the latest regional developments, according to SPA.
The Cabinet also authorized the Saudi environment minister to discuss and sign a memorandum of understanding with Syria’s Ministry of Local Administration and Environment covering cooperation in environmental protection.
