Editor's Review

The Kenyan government has condemned missile and drone attacks targeting infrastructure, civilians, and sacred places in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The Kenyan government has raised concerns over escalating missile and drone attacks targeting infrastructure, civilians and sacred places in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

In a statement on Friday, September 18, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs condemned the attacks and called for an immediate end to hostilities.

The ministry said that attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and places of worship contravene international humanitarian law. 

“The Government of the Republic of Kenya condemns the escalating missile and drone attacks directed against the infrastructure facilities, civilian and sacred places in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and calls for the immediate cessation of the growing hostilities. 

“Attacks directed at civilians, civilian infrastructure and places of worship are contrary to international humanitarian law and threaten the regional stability and security of the Kingdom,” read the statement in part. 

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File image of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. 

Kenya also said it is concerned over the hostilities, which it said are affecting maritime trade in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz. 

Nairobi warned that the disruptions threaten freedom of navigation and could have wider implications for regional and global economic stability, as well as energy security.

“Kenya calls for full respect for international law and the implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions concerning Yemen and the Houthis, including the obligations relating to arms embargo,” the ministry stated. 

Kenya further called for unimpeded maritime waterways and the cessation of attacks against merchant and commercial vessels. 

The Kenyan government said it stands in solidarity with Saudi Arabia in protecting its people. 

“The Government of Kenya therefore stands in solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the protection of its people, of the Two Holy Mosques and of the pilgrims who travel there, among them Kenyan citizens, and remains seized of the safety of Kenyan nationals living and working in the Kingdom,” the ministry added. 

Additionally, Kenya called on all parties to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation and reiterated its support for a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political settlement under the auspices of the United Nations. 

“Kenya reaffirms its commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen,” the statement added. 

This comes after the Houthis launched a drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca. However, the Saudi military intercepted and shot down the drone.

The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Yemen-based Houthi group has so far resulted in the deaths of five people, including three children.

The Saudi Arabia-Houthi conflict is linked to the wider regional conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.