PARIS (The Thursday Times) — The Group of Seven’s foreign ministers have condemned “in the strongest terms” the Houthis’ continuing strikes on Saudi Arabia and told Iran to stop arming the Yemeni group, in a joint declaration released on Wednesday after their meeting in Paris.
The ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, joined by the European Union, said the “unacceptable continued strikes” by the Houthis in Yemen and against the Kingdom had included attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
They called on the Houthis to “immediately cease all military actions and threats” and to avoid any further escalation, so that an inclusive political process in Yemen could resume.
Backing for Riyadh
The declaration expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognised government, and reaffirmed the right of both to defend their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity under international law.
It urged “all actors, including Iran” to end their arming of and support for the Houthis, which the ministers said violated several UN Security Council resolutions.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi energy sites and airports since a ceasefire in Yemen broke down in July. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopened in late October after a two-week closure, and on Wednesday Saudi air defences destroyed three Houthi cruise missiles aimed at the capital.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was in Paris during the meeting and met his British, French, German, and Italian counterparts, together with Qatar’s prime minister.
Hormuz and Iran
The G7 ministers also condemned Iran’s attacks on its neighbours and the obstruction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which they said had disrupted trade, energy security, and the global economy. They called on Tehran to stop its “persistent attacks against civilian vessels” and rejected any tolls or limits on passage. Iran has said the strait will stay shut until the US meets its conditions.
They backed US Central Command’s work to clear mines and escort ships, and said a multinational defensive initiative led by France and Britain could help restore traffic through the strait.
On Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, the ministers called for the protection of civilians, safe and unimpeded aid access, and the release of detained humanitarian workers, including UN staff held by the Houthis.
The statement comes as Gulf states move to base joint forces at a new military command in Kuwait in response to Houthi and Iranian threats.
