Saudi, Jordanian FMs Discuss Houthi Attacks, Sign Protocol on Higher Coordination Council
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Riyadh on Wednesday for talks on bilateral relations and regional developments, including attacks by the Houthi militia on Saudi territory. Safadi expressed Jordan's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for measures to protect its security, sovereignty and residents, and the ministers reviewed efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The two signed an amended protocol to the minutes establishing the Saudi-Jordanian Higher Coordination Council, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Abdullah II, with the foreign ministers heading its general secretariat.
Why it matters: The talks tie the Houthi attacks and Gulf maritime navigation to a regional security and de-escalation agenda, formalised through a bilateral coordination council between Riyadh and Amman.