UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Houthi attacks on infrastructure in the available information Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday, stressing that attacks targeting Saudi ships were ‘completely unacceptable’ because of the threat they pose to navigation and security in the region.
Guterres affirms freedom of navigation in Bab el-Mandeb
Guterres stressed the utmost importance of respecting the rights and freedom of maritime navigation, including the movement of ships through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. He reaffirmed the need to safeguard freedom of navigation in the passage, as part of his opposition to attacks on Saudi ships and facilities.
On Saturday, Guterres received Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, on the sidelines of Albudaiwi’s participation in the meetings of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, held in New York City, United States. During the meeting, Guterres and Albudaiwi condemned Houthi attacks on the available information Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the targeting of civilian objects.
They also said the attacks threatened security and stability in the region, in addition to the risks they posed to maritime navigation. The two sides also discussed several regional issues and efforts to address them, as part of talks held alongside the United Nations General Assembly.
The declared positions focused on protecting civilians and facilities, preserving freedom of navigation and rejecting attacks on Saudi ships.
