Syrian, Saudi foreign ministers discuss regional security in Riyadh

Nairobi, Kenya announced on October 16 its condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, emphasizing its solidarity with the Kingdom amid escalating regional tensions. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi communicated Kenya's stance to Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed Elkhereiji, via telephone conversation on Friday.

Mudavadi expressed Kenya's condemnation of the terrorist Houthi militia's attacks against the Kingdom, including strikes targeting civilian objects and vital facilities. He also conveyed condolences to families of the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery, reiterating Kenya's commitment to international peace and security, opposition to terrorism and violent extremism, and protection of civilians and critical infrastructure.

These condemnations follow renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities, resulting in at least 12 deaths and over 300 injuries according to Saudi authorities. The attacks have raised concerns regarding Saudi Arabia's defenses against missile and drone strikes, as well as the security of critical infrastructure in the region.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, control significant portions of northwestern Yemen, including its capital Sanaa. They seized Sanaa in 2014, leading to a Saudi-led military intervention that aimed to support Yemen's internationally recognized government. The conflict has seen years of cross-border strikes, including missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory.

A United Nations-brokered truce in 2022 brought relative calm, but fighting has intensified once again, spilling over into Saudi targets and raising fears of a wider regional escalation.