MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
The Saudi-led international coalition declared Tuesday the end of its military campaign four weeks after launching airstrikes on the Houthi positions in Yemen, saying the militia’s threat to the Kingdom and its neighbors had been neutralized.
The coalition has “ended Operation Decisive Storm based on a request by the Yemeni government and President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi,” said its spokesman, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Al-Assiri.
However, he said the coalition would continue to impose a naval blockade on Yemen and target any movements by the Houthi forces.
A coalition statement said that the next phase of campaign titled “Operation Restoring Hope” was aimed at resuming the political process in Yemen, delivering aid and fighting terrorism in the country.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the airstrikes had managed “to successfully remove threats” to Saudi Arabia’s security and that of neighboring countries as the campaign was instrumental in destroying the militia’s bal- listic missiles and other heavy weaponry.
Al-Assiri said the coalition would confront the military movement and operations of the Houthis and their allies and would not allow them to use smuggled weapons.
“We’ll also prevent the supply of weapons by land or air to the Houthis or the allies of ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh,” he added.
The coalition will assist efforts for the evacuation of foreigners living in Yemen and distribution of medical and relief supplies among Yemenis in affected areas.
“Members of the coalition have reiterated their commitment to restore Yemen’s security and stability without any foreign interference,” the spokesman said.
He said the political process would be carried out on the basis of the Security Council Resolution 2216 and the GCC peace initiative for Yemen.
Hadi has thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and other leaders of the coalition for launching the operation, which, he said, was successful in realizing its objectives.
“It eliminated the capabilities of Houthis and their weapons, which had posed a threat to Yemen and its neighboring countries,” Hadi said in a message to King Salman.
The coalition has taken full control of the regional aerospace and waters to prevent supply of weapons to the Houthis, thus creating a suitable atmosphere for the legitimate Yemeni authorities to work.
Hadi said the history of Yemen and Arab world would record the Saudi-led Decisive Storm in golden letters for restoring his country’s legitimacy and giving hope for his people about the future. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has emphasized the remarkable progress achieved by Saudi education sector as a result of the relentless efforts of its rulers and citizens since the time of King Abdul Aziz.
“In the past, people used to approach the mosque imam for help in reading a letter. Now you will not find a man or a woman who cannot read or write. There are one or two or three universities in each region and schools are everywhere,” he said.
The king made these comments while receiving Education Minister Azzam Al-Dakhil, university rectors and education directors across the Kingdom. He also underscored the Kingdom’s security and stability.
King Salman praised the unity and solidarity of Saudis. “We are united under the flag of Lailaha Illallah Muhammad Rasulullah (There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Prophet), the slogan on which the Kingdom was founded.
In his speech, Al-Dakhil said all education leaders would work for improving the education level to lead the Kingdom’s progress in different fields in order to make Saudi Arabia a successful model in the world.
He also praised the king’s support for Saudi students inside and outside the Kingdom and said they would remain the nation’s loyal soldiers.