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Adopted text

Escalation of Houthi attacks and implications for regional security

TA-10-2026-0366 · P10_TA(2026)0366 · PE788.366

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

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution condemns Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, energy facilities, schools and homes, and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. It demands the Houthis stop all hostilities, calls on Iran to end arms and financial support to them, and asks the Council to list the Houthis as a terrorist organisation under EU rules. It calls for more warships and aircraft for the EU naval operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, a negotiated maritime safety arrangement for the Red Sea, and EU contingency measures against energy price and supply shocks. It urges a nationwide ceasefire and a UN-led, Yemeni-led political settlement, more humanitarian aid and access, release of detained UN and NGO staff, and accountability for violations of international law.

Key points

  1. Condemns Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory, including King Khalid International Airport, other civilian airports, energy infrastructure, schools and residential areas, and attacks on Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
  2. Condemns the attacks on the Al-Maashiq Presidential Palace in Aden and a training camp in Shabwa, and the capture of Turbah, which threatens aid delivery to Taiz.
  3. Demands the Houthis cease all hostilities inside and outside Yemen, end attacks on shipping and repression of Yemenis, and comply with UNCLOS and UN Security Council resolutions.
  4. Calls on all parties to protect hospitals, schools, humanitarian personnel, water facilities, ports, airports and aid roads, and recalls that starving civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited.
  5. Condemns Iran's support to the Houthis in weapons, missile and drone technology, training and financing, and calls on Iran to end all transfers and support immediately.
  6. Condemns coordination between the Houthis, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups and calls for the disarmament of all militias and the state's monopoly on the use of force.
  7. Calls on the Council, on a proposal from the VP/HR, to list the Houthi movement, including its leadership and military and security apparatus, as a terrorist organisation under EU rules.
  8. Insists designations and sanctions be targeted and carry humanitarian exemptions, and calls for cutting Houthi financing, freezing their funds and extending sanctions to weapons suppliers.
  9. Condemns the Houthi naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, and calls on the Houthis to release persons detained over attacks on shipping.
  10. Calls on the Commission to assess the impact of disrupted Bab al-Mandab and Strait of Hormuz navigation on EU energy, inflation and supply chains and to present contingency and support measures.
  11. Regrets that EUNAVFOR ASPIDES remains below the 10 vessels deemed necessary, calls on member states to commit more naval and air assets, and asks the Council to extend the operation beyond 28 February 2027.
  12. Calls for a diplomatic initiative on a negotiated maritime safety arrangement for the Red Sea, more humanitarian aid and access, release of detained UN and NGO staff, and accountability for violations.

Who is affected

  • The Houthi movement: told to stop all attacks, face possible EU terrorist listing and wider sanctions.
  • Iran: called on to end weapons, technology, training and financing transfers to the Houthis.
  • EU member states: asked to supply more warships and aircraft to EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and tighten arms export assessments.
  • Saudi Arabia and Gulf partners: offered EU solidarity and closer security and defence cooperation.
  • Yemeni civilians: the text seeks humanitarian access, aid funding and protection for displaced people.

Figures and deadlines

  • More than 200 000 people displaced since August 2026, in addition to some 5,2 million internally displaced persons.
  • King Khalid International Airport targeted on 20 separate occasions since 1 October 2026; the 10 October strike killed at least 13 and injured more than 300.
  • Attacks on Saudi airports in October 2026 killed at least 20 civilians and injured more than 300; the airport suspended operations until 17 October 2026.
  • Attacks on four southern Saudi cities on 8 September 2026 reportedly wounded 73 people.
  • Attack on a training camp in Shabwa on 19 October 2026 killed at least 53 people and injured 200.
  • Fighting around Taiz cut off assistance to approximately 800 000 people.
  • More than 100 commercial vessels attacked in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab over three years; 12-15 % of global maritime trade passes through.
  • EUNAVFOR ASPIDES deemed to require at least 10 vessels; extended until 28 February 2027.