Saudi Arabia calls for restraint in response to US, UK strikes against Houthis in Yemen

Saudi Arabia calls for restraint and “avoiding escalation” in light of the air strikes launched by the United States and Britain against sites linked to the Houthi movement in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia, which has in recent months engaged in peace talks with Yemen’s Houthis after engaging in a years-long bombing campaign against them, was closely monitoring the situation with “great concern,” its foreign ministry says in a statement.

“The kingdom emphasizes the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as the freedom of navigation in it is an international demand,” the ministry adds.

The chief negotiator for the Houthis, Mohammed Abdulsalam, said on Thursday the group’s attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea do not threaten its peace talks.