Houthi rebels threaten more drone attacks on Yemeni troops and allies

Warning by Houthi spokesman shows rebels are not committed to a peaceful, political solution to the conflict

Houthi rebels has threatened to launch more drone attacks against government forces in Yemen, only days after a strike on a military parade killed several people.

The comments by Houthi spokesman Yahya Serea showed the rebels were not committed to a political solution to the conflict that has killed thousands of people since 2015.

It also stoked tensions with government forces and the Arab Coalition at a time when international powers are trying to secure an agreement between warring parties.

Mr Serea said that the drone attack on Al Anad military base in Lahaj province on Thursday was a “legitimate operation against aggression”.

He said the rebels were building an arsenal of locally made drones.

“Soon there will be enough in the strategic stockpile to launch more than one drone operation in multiple battle fronts at the same time,” he said in the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa.

The Houthis said in November that they were halting drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their Yemeni allies.

Yemen’s intelligence chief, Brig Gen Saleh Tammah, died on Sunday, three days after being injured in the drone attack on the parade.

The raid killed seven and wounded at least 12 people including top commanders.

It was launched a month after the warring sides agreed at talks in Sweden on a ceasefire in the rebel-held port of Hodeidah, a key entry for aid into the country where about 14 million are on the brink of famine.

The US and UN have voiced alarm over the worsening of violence in Yemen and urged restraint.

UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said he was alarmed by the drone attack, which came as he was hoping for further progress in negotiating an end to the war.

The Arab Coalition said on Friday it had destroyed a Houthi communication and control centre used to direct drones.