Saudi Arabia destroys ballistic missile launched by Yemen Houthis

The Saudi Royal Air Force has intercepted a ballistic missile that was launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen towards the city of Najran, as the Yemeni army prepared for an offensive on a key rebel-held port city.

Col Turki Al Malki, spokesman of the Arab coalition fighting the Houthi rebels on behalf of the internationally recognised government, said that the missile was launched about 9pm on Friday.

“The missile was heading towards Najran by the Houthi militia to target civilian and residential areas,” Col Al Malki told the official Saudi Press Agency.

“The missile was intercepted by the Saudi Royal Air Force and there were no casualties or damage.”

Col Al Malki repeated that the Houthis’ hostile actions was further proof that Iran was backing them and a clear breach of international resolutions.

“The launch of ballistic missiles toward residential towns and cities are considered a violation of humanitarian law,” he said.

Iran has long denied supplying arms to the Houthis but there is growing evidence of it.

The Houthis have fired dozens of missiles into Saudi Arabia since last year, all of which have been intercepted by Saudi forces.

The Yemen war was triggered when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014 and later advanced south, taking areas of the country.

After entering the war at the request of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi on March 26, 2015, the Saudi-led coalition, in which the UAE plays a leading role, has helped pro-government fighters to retake much of the territory captured by the rebels. But Sanaa remains under rebel control.

A Yemeni army spokesman yesterday told The National that troops backed by the Arab coalition were preparing for an operation to retake the western port of Al Hodeidah, where Houthis are targeting international shipments.

“The Houthi militia is a serious threat to maritime navigation and international trade through the Red Sea,” the spokesman said.

Col Ahmed Ahmed, a marine forces commander in Aden, said that the rebels were a threat to trade, and could stir up more conflict in the region.

“Having Iran proxies in the area would be a fundamental reason behind a possible altercation between the United States and its Gulf allies and Tehran,” Col Ahmed told The National.

“Iran is giving its Houthi proxies the green light to disrupt maritime navigation in international waters.”

Col Shalal Al Showbagi, director of Aden’s port security, urged the international community to take action against such threats.

“Saudi Arabia and the UAE can’t be held fully responsible for protecting the naval route unless there is a serious stance from the international community and the UN to back their efforts,” Col Al Showbagi said.