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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2939(RSP))

On the escalation of Houthi attacks and implications for regional security

B-10-2026-0489

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Hana Jalloul Muro, Nacho Sánchez Amor

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 23 Oct 2026

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A resolution condemning Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports, energy facilities, schools and homes, and calling them violations of international law. It condemns the declared Houthi naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, attacks on more than 100 commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the seizure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and asks the Commission to assess the impact on EU energy, prices and supply chains. It welcomes the expansion of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and asks member states to supply vessels and air defence assets, and the Council to review the operation's mandate and rules of engagement. It condemns Iran's support for the Houthis and calls for wider EU restrictive measures, and asks the Council to list the Houthis as a terrorist organisation with humanitarian exemptions. It calls for action on humanitarian access and detained UN staff in Yemen, and for a comprehensive EU Middle East strategy and a deeper partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Key points

  1. Condemns Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory, especially deliberate targeting of civilian airports, energy infrastructure, schools and residential areas, as violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
  2. Expresses solidarity with the people and Government of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms commitment to its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity; condemns the 15 October 2026 missile attack on the Al-Maashiq Presidential Palace in Aden.
  3. Welcomes statements by the Presidents of the European Council and the Commission and by the VP/HR, and calls on the Council and member states to adopt formal Council conclusions setting out a common EU response.
  4. Welcomes international condemnation of the attacks and urges the international community to support regional stability and humanitarian resilience, including in the Horn of Africa, and diplomatic de-escalation.
  5. Condemns the declared Houthi naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, attacks on energy shipping and on more than 100 commercial vessels over three years, and the seizure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait; recalls freedom of navigation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
  6. Calls on the Commission to urgently assess the effects of disrupted navigation through the Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz straits on EU energy security, prices, inflation, supply chains and ports, and to present contingency measures including energy supply diversification.
  7. Welcomes the decision to expand EUNAVFOR ASPIDES; asks member states to provide vessels and air defence and surveillance assets, the Council to review the mandate and rules of engagement, and coordination with the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition.
  8. Condemns Iran's supply of weapons, missile and drone technology, training and financing to the Houthis in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015); calls for restrictive measures on all involved and stronger enforcement of the UN arms embargo.
  9. Condemns coordination between the Houthis, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups; backs disarmament and demobilisation of all militias and the restoration of the state's monopoly on the use of force, including in Yemen and Lebanon.
  10. Calls on the Council to designate the Houthi movement, including its leadership, military and security apparatus, as a terrorist organisation under Common Position 2001/931/CFSP and Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001, with robust humanitarian exemptions in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2664 (2022).
  11. Calls for dismantling Houthi financing: freezing funds and economic resources, targeting smuggling and illicit money transfers, cooperation between financial intelligence units, Europol and Eurojust, and assessing Houthi-linked financing in the EU anti-money laundering framework.
  12. Expresses concern at the humanitarian situation in Yemen, calls for full humanitarian access and release of detained UN and civil society staff, and calls for a comprehensive EU Middle East strategy, support for UN-led Yemen talks and a deeper EU-Gulf partnership.

Who is affected

  • Saudi Arabia: Parliament expresses solidarity and backs its security and territorial integrity against Houthi attacks.
  • EU member states: asked to provide vessels and air defence assets to EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and to adopt formal Council conclusions.
  • The Council and Commission: asked to extend sanctions, list the Houthis, assess economic impacts and present a Middle East strategy.
  • Yemen's people: humanitarian access, aid and release of detained UN and civil society staff are demanded.
  • Iran: condemned for supplying weapons and financing to the Houthis; the EU is asked to counter its regional influence.

Figures and deadlines

  • More than 250 Yemeni civilians killed in the escalation since July 2026.
  • More than 200 000 civilians displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.
  • Attacks across 10 Saudi cities and regions, including Riyadh, Abha, Jazan, Najran, Taif, Yanbu, Mecca and Medina.
  • On 8 September 2026, attacks on four southern Saudi cities reportedly wounded 73 people.
  • Between 5 and 11 October 2026, attacks on Saudi airports killed 19 civilians and injured 364.
  • King Khalid International Airport targeted on 20 separate occasions since 1 October 2026, with operations suspended until 17 October 2026.
  • More than 100 commercial vessels attacked in the Red Sea over the past three years.
  • Brent crude rose above USD 100 a barrel after attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.