EU condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as Red Sea tensions escalate

Friday 18 September 2026 - 19:30

The European Union has stepped up its criticism of Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, warning that the escalation is adding further pressure to an already fragile regional security environment.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the attacks following discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, as European authorities continue to focus on protecting commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.

The European Union has separately condemned recent Houthi strikes against Saudi Arabia, including attacks affecting civilian and economic infrastructure. In a statement issued on September 17, the bloc said such attacks undermine regional security and efforts toward a political settlement of the conflict in Yemen.

Maritime routes at the centre of European concerns

For Brussels, the latest escalation is closely linked to the security of international shipping.

Kallas said discussions with the Saudi foreign minister included diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the fighting in Yemen as well as maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The EU has repeatedly called for maritime traffic to remain unrestricted. Earlier this year, the bloc warned that Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and attacks on commercial shipping represented a serious escalation and stressed the importance of keeping navigation open in both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic importance of these waterways extends well beyond the Middle East, as disruptions can affect shipping routes, supply chains and energy markets.

ASPIDES raises its level of vigilance

The European Union’s maritime operation ASPIDES has also adjusted its posture amid the deterioration in the security environment.

According to Kallas, the mission has increased the alert level of its vessels while continuing escort operations aimed at protecting maritime traffic in the Red Sea.

ASPIDES was established as a defensive maritime security operation following the attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Its mandate focuses on safeguarding freedom of navigation rather than conducting offensive strikes against targets on land.

The mission has become an important component of the EU’s response to threats facing international shipping in the region.

Diplomatic efforts remain part of the response

Alongside its maritime deployment, the EU continues to emphasize diplomacy as a route toward reducing tensions.

Kallas and Saudi officials have discussed efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Yemen, while European authorities have called on the Houthis to halt military operations and respect international law.

The EU has also stressed that lasting security in Yemen is closely connected to stability across the Gulf and the Red Sea.

The combination of diplomatic engagement and maritime protection reflects the European Union’s broader approach to the crisis: supporting efforts to reduce hostilities while seeking to preserve the movement of commercial vessels through key international waterways.

A wider challenge for global trade

The latest developments highlight the growing connection between the conflict in Yemen and the security of international trade routes.

European officials have warned that threats to shipping can have consequences far beyond the immediate conflict zone. Recent reporting has also shown increased pressure on maritime traffic around both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

For the EU, maintaining freedom of navigation therefore remains a central security and economic concern. As tensions continue to evolve, Brussels is balancing naval protection with diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation.