JEDDAH: Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Col. Turki Al-Maliki, said that at exactly 7:27pm local time (4:27 GMT), Saudi air defense forces intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia from within Yemeni territory toward the Kingdom. Al-Maliki explained that the missile were launched from Saada province toward the southwestern city of Jazan, and was deliberately launched to target civilian and populated areas. “The Saudi Royal Air Defense Force succeeded in intercepting and destroying the missile, which did not result in any injuries,” he said. Al-Maliki added that this hostile act by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia proves the Iranian regime’s continued involvement in supporting the terrorist group in clear and explicit defiance of UN resolution 2216 and resolution 2231. He noted the Houthi attacks are aimed at threatening the Kingdom’s security, as well as regional and international security and the firing of ballistic missiles at populated towns and villages is contrary to international humanitarian law. The total number of ballistic missiles launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia toward Saudi Arabia so far has reached 185 rockets.