At least 125,000 people have been displaced nationwide since the start of September due to the Houthi offensive, as the UN Security Council condemned continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia on Friday. Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts across the kingdom for a hostile aerial threat, with at least one explosion heard in Riyadh. This recent escalation marks a significant worsening of the conflict.
The council stated that these attacks struck civilian and energy infrastructure, injuring civilians, including women and children. It also condemned threats and attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait. The UN warned that the Houthis’ military escalation, attacks, and threats risked further expanding the conflict, endangering maritime security and international trade. Such actions, the council noted, also undermine regional and international efforts to secure peace in Yemen.
Humanitarian Toll
Continued escalation, the UN emphasized, would worsen Yemen's already dire humanitarian situation. The displacement of 125,000 people within the current month underscores the immediate human cost of the ongoing hostilities. This massive internal displacement highlights the severe impact on civilian populations caught in the protracted conflict.
Council members affirmed Saudi Arabia's inherent right to self-defense in accordance with international law. They expressed solidarity with the kingdom in the face of attacks on civilians and civilian objects within its territory. The statement from the UN Security Council came amid the heaviest run of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia since a years-long truce in Yemen’s civil war collapsed in July, the same year. That collapse has reignited intense hostilities across the region.
Saudi Arabia warned of a hostile aerial threat late Friday and early Saturday, prompting a string of emergency alerts, including in its capital, Riyadh. This alert marked the first for the Saudi capital since the latest escalation with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. No casualties or damage were reported after the alerts were lifted. Saudi authorities didn't say what prompted the alerts or the cause of the audible explosions, though they have previously reported intercepting incoming Houthi missiles and drones.
Escalating Violence and International Response
Just 11 days ago, on September 8, the coalition in Yemen reported a barrage that wounded 73 people and struck Aramco energy infrastructure near the Yemeni border. This incident highlighted the direct impact on both civilians and critical infrastructure. This barrage was followed by near-daily strikes on Khamis Mushayt, Abha, Jazan, and Najran through mid-September. An attack 5 days ago, on September 14, wounded 13 more civilians and damaged homes and vehicles.
The council called for practical cooperation, including with Yemen’s government, to enforce the arms embargo on the Houthis under council resolution 2216. This measure aims to prevent the group from obtaining weapons, training, or financing for further attacks. They also renewed their demand for the unconditional, safe, and immediate release of detainees. These include 73 UN personnel and staff from NGO and civil society organizations held by the Houthi group. The council highlighted its support for UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg’s push for a Yemeni-led political settlement. This diplomatic effort seeks to find a resolution to the protracted conflict, yet the violence persists.