Qatar Strongly Condemns Houthi Ballistic Missile Attacks on Southern Saudi Arabia

DOHA — The State of Qatar strongly condemned the Houthi group's targeting of the southern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles, describing it as a blatant violation of the Kingdom's sovereignty and territorial integrity, a breach of international law, and a threat to the region's security and stability.

The condemnation follows an attack in which Yemen's Houthi movement fired ballistic missiles toward Saudi Arabia's southern region, in what the group described as retaliation for Saudi-backed strikes on an airport under Houthi control. A Saudi-led military coalition said its air defenses successfully intercepted the missile threat before it could reach its targets.

A Truce Broken

The attack marked a significant escalation, breaking a four-year truce that had largely kept Saudi Arabia out of direct conflict with the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. The Houthis said the missiles were fired in response to what they characterized as Saudi involvement in strikes on Sanaa International Airport, which they control, after Saudi Arabia reportedly moved to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing there.

A senior Houthi official, Hezam al-Assad, issued a sweeping threat following the missile launches, warning of further retaliation against Saudi airlines, airports, ports, trains, oil companies, ships, and shipping lines unless the group's demands were met.

A Chorus of International Condemnation

Qatar's statement joined a wider wave of regional and international condemnation. The Gulf Cooperation Council strongly condemned the attack, with GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi calling it a "flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law" and stressing that Saudi Arabia's security "is an integral part of the security of the GCC member states." He called for a firm, deterrent international response to hold those responsible accountable.

Pakistan also condemned the attack at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Yemen. Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, said Pakistan "strongly condemns the Houthi ballistic missile attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," while reaffirming Pakistan's support for Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as Yemen's own sovereignty and territorial integrity. Jadoon also condemned the Houthis' continued arbitrary detention of UN, humanitarian, and diplomatic personnel and the seizure of UN premises and assets, calling for their immediate release.

Part of a Wider Regional Escalation

The Houthi missile attack comes amid a broader deterioration of regional security tied to the ongoing US-Iran conflict. The same day, the UAE's Defense Ministry said two UAE-flagged vessels, the Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters, killing one Indian crew member and wounding eight others.

Qatar has repeatedly called for de-escalation across the region in recent months and has emphasized its support for Saudi-led efforts to achieve peace in Yemen in line with the Gulf Initiative, the outcomes of Yemen's National Dialogue, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216.
This is a developing story and will be updated as further details become available.