Somalia has condemned reported Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, warning that the escalation threatens regional security and Red Sea stability.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) – Somalia on Saturday strongly condemned missile attacks claimed to have been carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport that reportedly killed at least three people and wounded several others.
In a statement issued by its foreign ministry, the Somali government described the attacks as a violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and a threat to regional security, calling for an immediate halt to strikes targeting civilian infrastructure.
"The Federal Republic of Somalia strongly condemns the attacks carried out by the Houthis against Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the ministry said, adding that the strikes had caused civilian deaths and numerous injuries.
The ministry said the attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and posed a direct threat to Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and the security of the wider region.
Somalia also expressed full solidarity with the Saudi government and people, stressing that instability around the Red Sea and the Gulf had direct implications for its own security.
"As a country with a coastline along the Red Sea, Somalia believes that the security of the Gulf region and the Red Sea is closely linked to its own security," the statement said.
Mogadishu extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to those wounded. It also urged an immediate cessation of attacks against civilian infrastructure.
The condemnation comes amid an escalation of hostilities involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with the conflict raising concerns over the security of strategic maritime routes and the potential for wider regional confrontation.
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According to the account provided by Somali authorities, the attacks came as Saudi forces intensified air strikes inside Yemen, particularly around the Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa. The developments have added to tensions between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
The fighting has reportedly intensified in recent weeks following Houthi military advances along parts of Yemen's Red Sea coast, including areas near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, a key passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The waterway is an important route for international shipping and trade, linking Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal. Any prolonged disruption could have consequences for countries bordering the Red Sea and for global maritime commerce.
Saudi Arabia has backed Yemen's internationally recognised government in its conflict with the Houthis, who seized Sanaa in 2014 and subsequently expanded their control across parts of the country. Riyadh led a military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015.
Somalia's statement did not detail any specific measures the government might take in response to the latest escalation. Its position nevertheless underscores Mogadishu's concern about the security implications of the conflict for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
The latest developments come as regional governments face growing pressure to prevent the fighting from spreading further and to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.
Independent confirmation of the reported casualties and the details of the airport attacks was not provided in the Somali government's statement.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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