Saudi Arabia says it 'will not hesitate' to defend itself after Houthi attacks wound dozens

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced on Tuesday that the Kingdom will employ any available measures to safeguard its interests and will not hesitate to counter Houthi attacks. During a joint press conference in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Prince Faisal emphasized that diplomacy was not ruled out as an option.

He stated that the Houthis had "opened a Pandora's box," and the Kingdom was prepared to take defensive actions to protect its security. Prince Faisal acknowledged that diplomacy remained an open avenue and pledged Saudi support for any initiative that benefited Yemen and the broader region. He criticized the Houthis for resorting to violence when faced with adversity and for prioritizing their interests over Yemen's.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government had offered a chance for constructive negotiations, but the Houthis continued to engage in actions that exacerbated the suffering of the Yemeni populace. Lavrov condemned Houthi attacks on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the loss of life and the adverse effects on the global economy.

He warned that such actions would ultimately prove counterproductive. Both ministers discussed regional and international issues, including ways to ease tensions and advance diplomatic efforts to resolve ongoing crises. Prince Faisal stressed the significance of maintaining consultation and coordination with Russia on regional and international matters and fostering dialogue aimed at de-escalation.

Saudi-Russian ties and OPEC+ were also addressed during the talks. Prince Faisal highlighted the importance of Saudi-Russian cooperation in maintaining global energy market stability and expressed interest in continuing dialogue and deepening cooperation across various sectors. Lavrov reiterated Russia's interest in supporting efforts to resolve Middle East tensions and maintaining coordination with Saudi Arabia on shared concerns.

Cooperation through OPEC+ was mentioned as a means to balance oil supply and demand. Both parties expressed a desire to strengthen their partnership and broaden areas of collaboration. Saudi Arabia has also recently banned 30 food items from school canteens, including chips and cold tea, and allowed employers to face jail time and fines for permitting employees to take on outside jobs.