The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the repeated attacks by the Houthi group on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in a statement released on July 26, 2026. The ministry singled out the latest incident targeting the Saudi ship NCC Masa as it sailed in the Red Sea and termed the assault a blatant breach of international law. It described the actions as a direct threat to the security and freedom of maritime navigation along with the safety of international trade. The ministry called on the international community to ensure implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
According to the ministry statement the measures include Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The text reaffirmed that freedom of navigation in international waterways constitutes a right guaranteed under international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It reiterated Kuwait’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and expressed support for all measures taken by the kingdom to safeguard its security and sovereignty. Saudi Arabia’s security forms an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council states the ministry noted.
The latest statement follows a similar announcement the ministry issued days earlier that denounced statements by the Houthi military spokesperson containing allegations against Saudi Arabia. That earlier text rejected threats targeting maritime security and freedom of navigation. It likewise called for adherence to the same United Nations resolutions. The ministry has maintained this position across both announcements as regional tensions persist.
Accounts carried by the Emirates News Agency which distributed the ministry statement placed the ship attack within a broader pattern of Houthi actions. The Iran-backed militia has fired missiles and drones at Saudi sites in response to airstrikes on Hodeida and has targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu and Jizan. These exchanges have continued amid the conflict in Yemen and have drawn repeated international attention to threats against commercial shipping. The incidents have occurred even as pauses in certain military operations have created limited openings for diplomatic engagement.
The ministry’s intervention underscores the Gulf states’ shared concern over disruptions in a sea lane that serves as a critical artery for global commerce. Regional outlets reporting the statement have noted that the Houthis’ activities have escalated in recent years often framed as responses to wider Middle East conflicts. The Kuwaiti position aligns with broader calls for respect for international maritime norms and de-escalation to protect trade routes.
