ISTANBUL

Official Arab positions called for a de-escalation in the region Friday after US and UK airstrikes targeted what they claimed were Houthi group sites in Yemen. 

Oman condemned the airstrikes, while Iraq denounced the offensive, along with similar condemnations from the Palestinian movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as Lebanon's Hezbollah group.

“In response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen,” the White House said in a statement on behalf of the US, the UK, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea.  

Arab concerns and calls for de-escalation

The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern about the military operations taking place in the Red Sea region and the airstrikes hitting several locations in Yemen.”

It emphasized "the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, whose navigation freedom is an international demand, jeopardizing it affects the interests of the entire world,” and urged “restraint and avoiding escalation given the events in the region.”

Kuwait said it had “grave concern and keen interest in the developments in the Red Sea region following the attacks that targeted sites in Yemen.”

It stressed, “the importance of preserving security and stability in the Red Sea region and securing the freedom of navigation in all vital waterways,” and emphasized, “the importance of de-escalation immediately and prioritizing the voice of reason to prevent any dangers that may threaten the freedom of navigation in the region, relied upon by most countries worldwide.”

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told the official Jordanian news agency that “Jordan is closely monitoring the developments in the Red Sea region, and their repercussions on regional security in general,” adding that it “underscores the interdependence of the region's stability and security, with the Israeli aggression on Gaza and its brutality, and its violations of the rights of the Palestinians, being the greatest threat.”  

Omani disapproval and Iraqi condemnation

Oman is “closely and with great concern following the developments of the American-British bombardment that targeted several cities in the brotherly Yemen,” it said in a statement that added it “cannot but condemn the resort to this military action by friendly countries, while Israel persists in its brutal bombardment and war on Gaza without accountability or punishment.”

Muscat reiterated that it has repeatedly warned of the expansion of the conflict and confrontation in the region due to Israel's ongoing aggression against the occupied Palestinian territories, as it urged “all parties to stop the escalation and military operations.”

Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi wrote on X: “We feel great concern about the attack launched by the United States and the United Kingdom on targets in Yemen. This contradicts our recommendations and increases the danger of the situation."

He added: “I urge all parties to exercise restraint and focus on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”

Iraq said in a statement: “We affirm the need to preserve the freedom of navigation in international waters, condemn the aggression on Yemen and its sovereignty, and believe that expanding the targets does not represent a solution to the problem but will only widen the scope of the war.” 

It stressed that “the solution lies in the United Nations Security Council exercising its responsibilities and issuing a resolution to stop the aggressive and brutal war against the Palestinians in Gaza.”  

Arab movements' condemnations

Palestinian movement, Hamas, said: "We strongly condemn the blatant American-British aggression on Yemen, and hold them responsible for its repercussions on the region's security.”

It affirmed that "the brutal aggression on Yemen is an uncalculated act under the influence of the will of the Zionist occupation and its extremist Nazi leadership, and it will only ignite and tense the region. Washington and London bear responsibility for its consequences.”

The Islamic Jihad said: “This aggression comes within the framework of the military umbrella provided by Western colonial countries to their military base in Palestine (referring to Israel).”

The group urged Arab and Islamic nations to “act against the aggression on Yemen, which rose to defend Gaza and the sanctities of Muslims in Palestine.”

Lebanon's Hezbollah, in a statement, said: “We strongly condemn the blatant American-British aggression on Yemen and its security and sovereignty and on its noble free people, who stood with all their might, courage, and responsibility alongside the Palestinian people and their brave resistance.”

It emphasized that “this aggression will not weaken Yemen but will only increase its strength, determination, and courage to confront it and continue on the path of supporting the Palestinian people and winning their just and fair cause.”

In addition, the military spokesman for the Houthis, Yahya Saree, announced that five Houthi fighters were killed in 73 airstrikes conducted by US and British forces in five provinces in Yemen.​​​​​​​ 

Maritime trade constitutes 70% of Israel's imports, with 98% of its foreign trade passing through the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. Trade through the Red Sea contributes 34.6% to Israel's economy, according to its Finance Ministry.  

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala