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The Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate telephone calls with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on July 22. During the conversations, both European ministers condemned the terrorist attack carried out by the Houthi militia targeting the southern region of the kingdom. The officials reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to further develop cooperation across multiple sectors while exchanging views on shared regional concerns.
In the calls, the ministers stressed the importance of protecting security and freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, the Saudi Press Agency said. They rejected any actions that threaten maritime security or international shipping, underscoring a common position on maintaining stability in vital waterways. The discussions highlighted ongoing diplomatic coordination between Saudi Arabia and its European partners amid evolving regional dynamics.
Reuters reported that the Houthi movement fired ballistic missiles toward Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia on July 13 after accusing the kingdom of involvement in an airstrike on Sanaa airport. The Saudi-led military coalition stated that it successfully intercepted the missiles, marking the first such claimed strike against the kingdom since an informal truce took effect in March 2022. Yemen’s internationally recognized government had claimed responsibility for the Sanaa airport incident to prevent an Iranian plane from landing there.
Al Jazeera reported that the Houthis subsequently threatened to impose a naval blockade on Saudi shipping through the Red Sea in response to what the group called a Saudi siege on Yemen. Saudi Arabia has denounced these threats as risks to regional stability and global energy supplies. The Gulf Cooperation Council described the initial missile attack as a cowardly terrorist act that violates international law and requires a firm response to protect peace and security.
The Saudi Press Agency noted that the calls with the Italian and Spanish foreign ministers also touched on ways to strengthen ties between the countries in various fields. Prince Faisal bin Farhan has maintained active engagement with international counterparts to address the situation in Yemen. Such condemnations from European nations reinforce multilateral support for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to counter threats to its territory and citizens.
A statement from the GCC, as carried by Middle East Monitor, called for an international stance to hold those responsible for the Houthi actions accountable and to prevent further violations of the truce. This position mirrors the views expressed in the July 22 diplomatic exchanges. The sequence of events has drawn renewed attention to the fragility of the ceasefire that had limited cross-border attacks for more than four years prior to the July incidents.
