Coalition to continue peace efforts despite Houthi aggression: Spokesman

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki showed evidence of Houthi violations during a press conference on Saturday. (SPA)
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Updated 09 January 2022
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Coalition to continue peace efforts despite Houthi aggression: Spokesman

  • Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki outlines militia’s bomb-boat, piracy and terror operations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s campaign to resolve the Yemeni crisis and reach a political solution will continue despite growing Houthi aggression, the spokesman for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen has said.

Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki’s comments came during a press conference held on Saturday in Riyadh amid a surge in fighting in Yemen as a result of Houthi setbacks.

Al-Maliki said: “The Saudi initiative to resolve the Yemeni crisis exists despite the evidence of the Houthi militia’s militarization of Sanaa International Airport and the port of Hodeidah, using them to target civilians in Saudi Arabia and Yemen and as ballistic missile stores.

“Any initiative presented by the coalition or the Kingdom is certainly provided for the benefit of the Yemeni people, and we believe that a political solution is the appropriate solution to the Yemeni crisis, but the Houthi militia is intransigent.”

This week, the militia seized a UAE vessel, Rwabee, that was transporting urgent medical supplies to Yemen.




Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Arab Coalition, shows at a press conference in Riyadh some of the devices that were used to attack ships. (Reuters)

The coalition “has known for some time about the Houthi militia’s use of the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef in hostilities,” Al-Maliki said, adding: “There was no military action against these positions because the coalition takes into account the interests of the Yemeni people.

“The Houthis also must take into account the interests of the Yemeni people, and therefore the Houthi intransigence cannot be linked to the continuation of humanitarian initiatives.”

Al-Maliki said: “We cannot blame the UN for what the Houthi militia is doing to the port of Hodeidah after the Stockholm Agreement, because the UN deals with all parties on the principle of good intentions.

“The Houthi militia has not allowed the UN to implement the Stockholm Agreement, There is a re-coordination committee in Hodeidah yet there has been no full commitment to military redeployment in Hodeidah.”

The spokesman warned that the two key ports of Saleef and Hodeidah, as well as Ras Issa, have not been handed over by the Houthis as required by the Stockholm Agreement.

There is evidence that the militia has used the Saleef and Hodeidah ports to launch ballistic missiles toward coalition targets and Saudi Arabia, Al-Maliki said, adding that the sites are also used to launch explosive-laden vessels.

He warned that “it is in the interests of the Houthis” to ignore the Stockholm Agreement so that it can “continue its hostile operations, maintain the status quo and keep control over financial resources and the black market.”

He added: “The Houthi militia continued its violations of international navigation rules in the Red Sea and violation of international laws through piracy operations in international waters by launching 100 booby-trapped boats in the Red Sea.”

Maj. Gen. Pilot Abdullah Al-Hababi, director of the Civil Military Operations Department, said that the coalition “recorded 13 violations by the Houthi militia against commercial ships from Hodeidah,” adding that 248 sea mines launched by the Houthis in the Red Sea were destroyed.

Regarding the Rwabee incident, Al-Maliki said that the vessel was carrying aid for Yemenis on Socotra Island who were affected by hurricanes, adding that the Houthi militia “planned to attack and hijack the vessel in international waters.”

Al-Hababi reviewed a number of ships targeted by the Houthis, including Rabigh 3, Abqaiq and a Turkish ship loaded with wheat. He also unveiled the names of those involved in Houthi piracy operations in the Red Sea, noting that these operations were led by Mansour Al-Saadi, who has been on a US Treasury blacklist since last year.

Al-Maliki said: “The ships attacked by Houthi pirates were picked by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and former Iranian ambassador to the Houthis, Hassan Irloo.

“The Iranian ship Saviz is a military vessel with civilian cover that transports Iran’s weapons and experts to Hodeidah,” he added.

The spokesman said that the Houthi militia use another Iranian vessel, Noor, to target commercial vessels.

Al-Maliki also presented evidence on the Houthi militia’s recruitment of children.

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Balad Beast brings global beats to historic streets

Updated 31 January 2026
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Balad Beast brings global beats to historic streets

  • ‘MDLBEAST put us on the international map,’ say Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash

JEDDAH: The music festival Balad Beast concluded its fourth edition this weekend, having transformed Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage district of Al-Balad into an open-air celebration of music, culture and creativity that attracted thousands of music lovers over two nights.

The festival, organized by Saudi music platform MDLBEAST, featured more than 70 local, regional and international artists across four stages, offering audiences a diverse journey through electronic, hip-hop and global sounds.

French Haitian singer-songwriter Naïka performed on the second night of Balad Beast. (Supplied)

Speaking to Arab News, MDLBEAST chief creative officer Ahmad Al-Ammary, also known as DJ Baloo, described Balad Beast as a “cultural takeover” adding that finding the right spaces for dance floors was a challenge, “but Balad is constantly evolving and we work with that change.”

Addressing the challenges of working in a heritage area, he said: “Balad is sensitive and condensed, so logistics can be complex. In our first year, heavy rain flooded one of the planned squares and we had to relocate the Souq Stage to a much smaller space, but it worked and it has remained there ever since.

HIGHLIGHT

Reggae superstar Shaggy noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.

“Yes, the alleys are narrow and the district is old, but they’re full of ideas, patterns, colors and visuals. Everything flows here,” he continued. “As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.”

Balad Beast featured more than 70 local, regional and international artists across four stages, offering audiences a diverse journey through electronic, hip-hop and global sounds. (Supplied)

Balad Beast featured performances from international artists including US rapper Playboi Carti, making his first appearance in Saudi Arabia; US rapper Destroy Lonely; Swedish DJ and producer Alesso; and Bosnian-German DJ Solomun on the opening night. The following night saw French-Haitian singer-songwriter Naïka, reggae superstar Shaggy, Dutch DJ Franky Rizardo, British DJ Pawsa, and US rapper Tyga, and more take the stage, while Saudi and regional artists including Cosmicat, TUL8TE, Zeina, Vinyl Mode, Moayed, Dish Dash, Musab, Varoo and HiFi appeared across the festival, offering audiences a mix of global and local talent.

Saudi electronic duo Dish Dash reflected on the festival organizer’s impact for local artists.

As a festival, it’s hard to define Balad, because it gives so much of itself creatively. It’s incredibly generous with its ideas and details, and inspiration comes from everywhere.

Ahmad Al-Ammary, MDLBEAST chief creative officer

“MDLBEAST put us on the international map,” the brothers told Arab News. “It helped us get recognized by festivals, promoters and event organizers abroad. When we travel, people don’t expect this level of talent coming from Saudi Arabia, especially considering we didn’t have this scene before.”

Shaggy, who performed a hit-filled set during the festival, told Arab News: “I’ve been blessed with some incredible songs, and I see music as a gift and a tool for service. When I go on stage, I’m there to entertain people, to make them smile and feel good, but that service also supports many livelihoods from the people working at this festival to those who work with me. These songs have become part of people’s lives, and I don’t take that lightly.”

Balad Beast featured more than 70 local, regional and international artists across four stages, offering audiences a diverse journey through electronic, hip-hop and global sounds. (Supplied)

Shaggy also noted that the reality of playing live in Saudi Arabia often surprises those who arrive with preconceptions.

“I’ve performed in Saudi Arabia more than once, and while there are certain rules that are different, it’s not an issue for me. My focus is always on delivering the hits and giving the audience a great time,” he said.

“There’s a big misconception. People have more freedom than (outsiders) think. Everyone has been extremely nice.”

Asked what advice he would offer to aspiring artists, Shaggy said: “Understand that what you’re given is a gift and a form of service. Stay humble, do the work, and remember why you’re doing it.”

As Al-Ammary noted, there are many such aspiring artists now making a name for themselves in the Kingdom.

“Talent is emerging everywhere, at different levels,” he said. “The scene is still in a mysterious and surprising phase. There’s a rawness to it.”