استهداف المطارات والمقدسات جريمة تفرض مسؤولية جماعية

The Arab region is witnessing a delicate phase where regional security considerations intersect, including the targeting of sites in the cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially the bombing of airports, the latest being the terrorist crime by the Houthis who targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with missiles, resulting in the death of 12 people and 309 injuries. This constitutes a complete terrorist crime that adds to the threat to maritime corridors, endangering energy security and the safety of international navigation, with risks that transcend national borders to affect regional stability and the global economy.

The Kingdom reaffirms, in its steadfast policy, that its national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are not subject to negotiation, and that confronting cross-border attacks is based on an inherent right guaranteed by international laws and charters, while continuing to support the security and stability of the region and pushing towards political solutions that preserve the sovereignty of states and prevent their territories from being turned into platforms for threats to their neighbors.

In this context, it is noteworthy that some regional movements and communications coincided with subsequent security developments in the region, including political and security meetings that addressed, among other issues, the security of navigation and energy supplies.

The mere temporal coincidence does not, in itself, prove a direct relationship between one event and another; however, the sequence of developments raises legitimate questions about the sources of the threat, the pathways of arms transfer, and the coordination mechanisms that allow armed terrorist groups to carry out cross-border operations.

Here, the responsibility of states emerges in preventing the use of their territories, airspace, or facilities as a launch pad for any actions targeting other countries, as regional stability cannot be achieved in the presence of multiple centers of security decision-making, and the relationships between states cannot be protected unless the state alone holds the decision-making power regarding arms, war, and peace.

The terrorist Houthi militias remain the most prominent sources of threat associated with this scene, as the group's name has been linked for more than 10 years to missile and drone attacks targeting the Kingdom, civilian sites, and economic interests, in addition to threatening international navigation in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea.

This escalation can be understood through three main pathways:

First: The threat to civilian airports in the Kingdom, cities, sites, Islamic sanctities, maritime corridors, and supply chains.

Targeting navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab does not represent a security problem for a specific state, but rather affects one of the most important arteries of global trade. The security of maritime corridors is directly linked to the stability of trade movement, energy markets, and supply chains, and any ongoing threat to them raises transportation and insurance costs and multiplies the risks facing the global economy.

Second: Targeting facilities and civilian sites.

The use of missiles and drones against cities, civilian facilities, and economic establishments places the lives of civilians and the safety of infrastructure under direct threat, which contradicts the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in times of conflict.

Third: Violating the sanctity of holy places.

Makkah and Madinah remain in the hearts of Muslims above any political calculations or regional conflicts. Any targeting of the security of Makkah or endangering the visitors of the Sacred House of Allah represents an extremely serious transgression that does not only target the Kingdom but also affects the feelings of over a billion Muslims around the world.

From this standpoint, protecting Islamic sanctities is a responsibility that transcends narrow political calculations and requires a clear stance from the international community and Islamic countries regarding any threat that could endanger pilgrims, umrah performers, and visitors.

In this context, the official statements condemning the attacks represent an important step, but they become more effective when coupled with practical measures to prevent their recurrence and close the pathways that armed groups could use to carry out attacks on neighboring countries.

The security of the Kingdom... a sovereign right and a legal responsibility.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly affirmed that protecting its citizens, lands, and resources is a responsibility that cannot be compromised, and that it is simultaneously keen to adhere to international law and the United Nations Charter.

The Saudi message in this regard is clear: the Kingdom does not seek escalation, but it will not treat attacks on its security as a normal occurrence that can continue indefinitely.

The stability of the Gulf and the Red Sea, energy security, and trade corridors are an integrated system, and any disruption in one of its parts reflects on the rest of the region and the world. Therefore, addressing the sources of threat requires regional and international cooperation that goes beyond temporary reactions to address the root causes.

In contrast, the Kingdom continues its approach based on supporting stability, development, and regional partnerships, stemming from a vision that considers security a prerequisite for development and prosperity.

Ultimately, the security of the region is achieved by drying up the funding sources of armed groups, ensuring freedom of navigation, and protecting civilians and sanctities.

The current phase requires a responsible stance from all parties: one that protects the sovereignty of states, prevents their territories from being turned into platforms for threats, and affirms that the security of the Kingdom and the security of the countries in the region are an integral part of the security and stability of the regional and international system.