RIYADH: The Arab coalition intercepted and destroyed three drones launched by the Houthi militia toward Saudi Arabia, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The drones were detected and launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia from Yemen’s Hodeidah province, Arab coalition spokesperson, Col. Turki Al-Malki, said on Friday.
He added that the Houthis continue to violate the Stockholm Agreement and the cease-fire in Hodeidah.
They also continue to use Hodeidah province as a place for launching terrorist operations by firing ballistic missiles and drones, he said.
He added that the militants also use the province as a place for launching remotely piloted boat attacks, which constitute a regional and international security threat.
The US State Department on Sunday announced Washington’s plans to designate the Houthi militia a terrorist organization and to include three of its leaders – Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, Abd Al-Khaliq Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya Al-Hakim – on the global terrorists list.
Al-Maliki indicated that the Arab coalition is implementing appropriate measures to deal with these extremist acts in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.
He added that the coalition will continue to support the political efforts of the UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths to end the coup and reach a comprehensive political solution.
BACKGROUND
• Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies entered the war in Yemen in 2015 against the Houthis, who drove the internationally recognized government into exile in 2014.
• The Houthis have fired hundreds of missiles into Saudi Arabia in the five-year conflict. Most of the missiles have been intercepted by the Saudi military.
Nayef Al-Hajjraf, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned the attack and said: “The recurrence of these terrorist attempts by the Houthi militia reflects its blatant defiance of the international community and its disregard for all international laws and norms.
“This requires the international community to take an immediate and decisive stance to stop these repeated terrorist acts that target vital and civilian installations,” he added.
Al-Hajjraf praised the coalition forces, led by Saudi Arabia, for their success in confronting all terrorist attempts by the Houthi militia, and said that the GCC stands in solidarity with the Kingdom, and supports all measures it takes to defend its lands and preserve its security.
Bahrain’s foreign ministry “strongly condemned and denounced” the attack on Saudi territory and the Houthi militia’s “continuation of these cowardly terrorist acts that endanger the safety and security of civilians,” it said in a statement published on Bahrain News Agency.
“Bahrain stands in one line with Saudi Arabia against anyone who tries to undermine its security and stability,” the ministry said.
It also praised the vigilance of the Arab coalition forces, who “were able to intercept and destroy these aircraft.”
Manama also called on the international community to “take deterrent measures against the terrorist Houthi militia and all who support it.”
Jordan also condemned the attack and foreign ministry spokesperson Dhaifallah Al-Fayez said the Kingdom “rejects these cowardly terrorist attacks,” adding that his country always “stands by the Kingdom in the face of all threats to its stability and the security of its people.”
Al-Fayez said that “the security of the two countries is one and indivisible and that any threat to the security of the Kingdom is a threat to the security and stability of the entire region.”
He also praised the coalition for their “success in confronting these attacks and intercepting and destroying aircraft.”
