Arab Coalition Pounds Houthi Militia Positions in Yemen

  • 1/31/2019
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The Saudi-led Arab Coalition, backing the internationally-recognized government in Yemen, said it conducted a number of airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthi militia encampments and arm depots. Arab Coalition Spokesperson Col. Turki Al-Maliki reaffirmed that the strikes are in line with international conventions and abide by humanitarian laws. More so, the Coalition’s military activity in Yemen, according to a statement by Maliki, does not violate December’s UN-brokered Stockholm Agreement. But on the other hand, Houthis militias have continued firing in restricted areas covered by the deal, damaging civilian neighborhoods and public property. Saudi Royal Air Forces defense system caught the drone, which was heading for the southern city, Maliki also noted. After specialists examined the debris of the device, it was found to be a Houthi drone built using Iranian specifications. Maliki warned the Houthis "in the strongest terms" against targeting civilians and civilian targets. He added that the Coalition would take any measures in accordance with international humanitarian law to deter their threat. He accused Houthis of intransigence and refusing to remove landmines and improvised explosive devices from the main roads to facilitate the movement of relief convoys, with an aim solely to disrupt the work of international and non-governmental relief organizations. The official also blasted Houthi-led hostilities and terrorist operations targeting maritime world trade routes. UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash also revealed that the Arab Coalition struck 10 Houthi training camps outside Hodeidah governorate on Wednesday. “Coalition prepared to use more calibrated force to prod Houthi compliance with Stockholm Agreement,” he tweeted. “To preserve ceasefire & any hope for political process, UN and international community must press Houthis to stop violations, facilitate aid convoys, and move forward on withdrawal from Hodeidah city & ports as agreed,” he added.

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