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GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi has condemned statements by the Houthi militia’s military spokesman as baseless allegations designed to distort reality and evade responsibility for exacerbating the Yemeni people’s suffering while undermining regional security. According to the GCC chief, these accusations fail to diminish Saudi Arabia’s sustained contributions toward advancing a political solution in Yemen, bolstering stability across the region and delivering critical humanitarian support. Al-Budaiwi further emphasized the centrality of secure maritime navigation and uninterrupted international trade to both local and worldwide stability, characterizing assaults on shipping lanes as direct contraventions of international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and pertinent Security Council decisions.
The secretary-general’s statement issued on July 21, 2026, urged the international community to adopt a resolute position against Houthi activities and to enforce relevant UN resolutions aimed at safeguarding global shipping. This stance builds upon longstanding GCC positions regarding the Yemen conflict that has persisted since 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition intervened at the request of Yemen’s recognized government as documented in United Nations records. Similar condemnations have been voiced in response to previous Houthi provocations that have affected Red Sea commerce.
Jordan has likewise rejected the Houthi statements, expressing complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and endorsing all measures the kingdom undertakes to defend its sovereignty, security and the well-being of its citizens and residents. Kuwait and Qatar released comparable declarations that dismiss the allegations outright while underscoring how Saudi Arabia’s security remains inseparable from that of the wider GCC. The two states advocated for strict adherence to UN Security Council resolutions, notably 2216 addressing the Yemen situation and 2722 focused on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, according to their official communications.
Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa has also strongly criticized the Houthi claims, portraying them as false narratives meant to deflect from the militia’s role in inflicting widespread damage throughout Yemen including strikes on civilian infrastructure, oil export sites, state institutions and vessels in the Red Sea. Al-Issa contrasted this behavior with Saudi Arabia’s documented history of providing humanitarian relief, development initiatives, budgetary assistance and support for UN-mediated peace processes in the country. The league’s position reinforces a unified Arab front against attempts to misrepresent Saudi contributions to Yemen.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry statement released on the same day detailed the Houthi spokesman’s accusations that Saudi Arabia was enforcing a siege on Yemen and impeding maritime movements, coming shortly after reports of an airstrike on Sanaa airport and cross-border missile launches attributed to the militia. A background assessment from the Middle East Institute highlights how such maritime disruptions have compounded challenges in the Gulf region amid evolving geopolitical tensions involving Iran-backed groups. These latest diplomatic responses aim to counter narratives that could further complicate efforts to achieve lasting stability in Yemen and secure vital trade routes.
