OIC decries Houthi remarks targeting Saudi Arabia

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned recent remarks by the Houthi group targeting Saudi Arabia including accusations that the Kingdom is imposing a siege on the Yemeni people and the group's declaration of a maritime embargo and reaffirmed its full solidarity with Riyadh.

In a statement, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha rejected the Houthi claims as baseless and denounced them as a dangerous and unacceptable escalation that undermines regional and international efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and advance a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.

The condemnation follows remarks by the Houthi military spokesman accusing Saudi Arabia of blockading Yemen and obstructing maritime navigation, and the group's announcement on Monday of a maritime embargo on the Kingdom “based on the equation of an eye for an eye.” Saudi Arabia has rejected the allegations as false and said it would take all necessary measures to protect its vessels.

The OIC reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures the Kingdom takes to safeguard its security, sovereignty and the safety of its citizens and residents. It stressed that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a right guaranteed under international law, and called for the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The Secretary-General also called for prioritising dialogue and a serious commitment to the peace process in order to spare the region further tension and turmoil.

The OIC's stance echoed a wave of Arab and Islamic condemnations of the Houthi remarks, with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Muslim World League among those voicing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and urging enforcement of UN resolutions, including Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

The escalation comes amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea, where the Houthi embargo threat has raised concerns over global energy supplies and shipping at a time when Saudi Arabia has been routing oil exports through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.