Saudis destroy ‘Houthi’ missile

RIYADH, May 12, (Agencies): Saudi air defense Friday intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthi militia from Saada province at Kingdom’s territories, official spokesman for coalition forces supporting legitimacy in Yemen Colonel Turki Al-Malki said.

The missile was intercepted at 6:30 pm (Saudi Arabia’s local time) that was targeting Jazan city, Al-Malki added on a press statement.

He noted that the missile was fired deliberately to target civilian and populated areas.

He pointed out that “this hostile action committed by Houthis has proven Iran’s continued involvement in backing this armed group with qualitative capabilities in a clear and explicit defiance of the UN Resolutions (2216) and (2231) in order to threaten the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the regional and international security.” He stressed

that “launching ballistic missiles towards densely populated cities and villages runs counter to the international humanitarian law.”

Meanwhile, Yemeni officials say fighting over two days in western Yemen has killed at least 115 people on both sides of the conflict pitting forces loyal to a Saudi-led coalition against Iran-backed Shiite rebels.

The officials said Saturday the clashes west of the province of Taiz also wounded dozens. They said the forces loyal to the coalition backing the internationally recognized government seized control of some rebel-held areas in western Yemen.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.