Arab Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki reiterated accusations that the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen have violated International Humanitarian Law through their actions in the war-torn country. He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The Houthi members and leaderships are therefore valid military targets according to International Humanitarian Law.” He explained that the Houthis are attempting to portray their political council as a legitimate authority to justify their control of Yemeni state authorities that they had effectively rebelled against. They went on to form a government, which they are presenting to the people as being legitimate, he continued. Moreover, the Houthis have also manipulated the media to show that the Coalition was targeting civil leaderships, in what the spokesman said was an attempt to mislead the public. He remarked however that international laws and even internal Yemeni ones do not recognize the Houthis and they bar them from using the authority that they have usurped by force. “The Houthis are outlaws … and they do not represent the civilians, who in turn are not a side in the military operations,” he went on to say. Asked about initiatives proposed by the Houthis through social media in which they demanded a halt to Coalition air strikes in return for stopping ballistic missile attacks, Maliki replied: “Serious initiatives should be made through the special United Nations envoy.” The Coalition has the operational ability to deal with the ballistic danger, which is both a regional and international threat, he commented. “The Houthis must recognize concerned UN Security Council resolutions, starting with resolution 2216 … Any proposal that does not adhere to this decision is rejected,” he stressed. Resolution 2216 calls for a political solution based on the Gulf initiative and national dialogue outcomes.