Italy Stands With Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Aggression

RIYADH: Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reaffirmed his nation’s full support for Saudi Arabia during a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, following a wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory.

• Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expresses his country’s solidarity with the Kingdom and thanks Saudi government for efforts to ensure safety of Italian expatriates
• He also discusses with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea

Tajani condemned the recent Houthi missile and drone strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, including airports in Riyadh, Abha, and Dammam, which have killed at least 20 people and injured over 350 since October 6.

“I also thanked the Saudi authorities for continuing to ensure the safety of our compatriots present in the country,” Tajani wrote on social media platform X. “We want to promote a diplomatic solution to the Yemeni crisis, supporting the efforts of the United Nations.”

The ministers discussed regional security concerns, particularly the need to maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked by Iran since February, and in the Red Sea, where Houthi threats have disrupted commercial shipping.

Tajani emphasized that strengthening Operation Aspides, the EU naval mission launched in February 2024, “is decisive for security in the region and for the protection of shipping lanes.”

The Saudi Cabinet recently warned that the Houthis will face consequences for their repeated attacks, while also pledging to safeguard navigation in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.

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