Saudi Arabia denies any involvement in Israeli attack on Yemen

Jul 21. () –

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry on Sunday denied any involvement in Israel’s Saturday attack on Yemen’s port city of Hodeida, targeting oil depots controlled by the Houthi rebels in retaliation for an attack by the group on Tel Aviv on Friday.

Saudi Arabia, which lies geographically between Israel and Yemen, has for years led an international coalition against the Houthi insurgency during the Yemen war.

The Houthis, who have received funding and assistance from Iran in the conflict, consider Riyadh their declared enemy because it has been the most prominent international ally of the Yemeni government recognized by the international community.

With this statement, Saudi Arabia is trying to dispel rumours that Israeli planes may have crossed its airspace at some point to carry out the bombing in Hodeida, which left three dead and dozens injured.

In response, the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, General Turki al Maliki, said in a brief statement published by the official Saudi news agency, SPA, that “Saudi Arabia has no connection nor has it participated in the attack on Hodeida.”

Al Maliki also assured that “the kingdom will not allow any entity to violate its airspace.”