Riyadh, July 21 (QNA) – Saudi Arabia condemned the accusations made by the Houthi military spokesperson that the Kingdom was imposing a blockade on the Yemeni people, as well as the group’s threats to ban maritime navigation to Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom has worked alongside Yemen’s internationally recognized government over the past several years to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. It noted that Saudi Arabia has continued to implement development projects, support the Yemeni government’s budget, and provide petroleum products to operate power stations.

The ministry added that during the first half of this year, the northern Yemeni ports of Hodeidah, Al Salif, and Ras Isa received more than 300 vessels carrying food supplies, commercial goods, fuel, and construction materials.

The ministry said that Saudi Arabia’s position was aimed at achieving peace in Yemen and ending the suffering of the Yemeni people. It added that the Kingdom has supported UN-led peace efforts for years, including the roadmap accepted by the Yemeni government, while the Houthis refrained from announcing their acceptance and instead became involved in the regional conflict in pursuit of what the ministry described as their own “sinister” agenda and objectives, further worsening the suffering of Yemenis living in areas under their control.

The statement called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities by implementing the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. It also stressed that Saudi Arabia will take all necessary measures to protect its vessels in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The ministry reaffirmed that the Kingdom will continue to support the Yemeni people and their internationally recognized government. (QNA)