Bahrain joined a global outrage over the renewed terrorist attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia which targeted multiple civilian and economic sites in Saudi Arabia, resulting in 73 injuries, including women and children.
The Foreign Ministry said these attacks, along with the continued targeting of commercial vessels and the threat to the freedom and safety of international navigation in the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandab, represent a dangerous escalation.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said his country would not hesitate to defend itself against any attacks, stressing that it would use all available means to protect its interests while keeping the door open to diplomatic solutions in dealing with the Houthis.
The attacks were condemned around the world, including by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Security Council and GCC as well as Arab countries.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio slammed Houthis as ‘agents’ of Iran.
In a statement, Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry affirmed the kingdom’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and its complete support for all measures taken to preserve its sovereignty and to protect its citizens and residents.
It praised the efficiency of the Royal Saudi air defence forces in confronting these attacks and protecting lives.
The ministry affirmed that the security and stability of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of Bahrain and all the GCC countries.
The statement stressed Bahrain’s call upon the international community, particularly the Security Council, to fulfil its responsibilities and take a firm stance to deter these attacks, hold their perpetrators accountable and implement relevant Security Council resolutions.
As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, the kingdom will continue to work with its fellow GCC members and international partners to ensure a decisive international response.
It also reiterated appreciation for the diplomatic, humanitarian and development efforts led by Saudi Arabia in support of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable Yemeni-led political solution to the crisis in Yemen.
The official spokesman for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al Malki said that the latest Houthi attacks targeted civilian and economic sites in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran.
Saudi Arabia also said sirens sounded in Jazran later.
These resulted in injuries to 73 civilians, including women and children, noting that these attacks ‘constitute a blatant violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty and a direct threat to the security and safety of its citizens and residents’.
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