Houthi militias launched 70 ballistic missiles targeting the security and safety of Saudi Arabia, since the launch of the operation to restore legitimacy in Yemen, according to informed sources and like reported by aawsat.com.
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the militias launched 14 missiles towards Jazan, 9 towards Nejran, and the remaining 56 targeted several areas in the center, south, and west of the kingdom.
Even though none of the missiles succeeded in achieving their goals and were intercepted by Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, the continuous attacks present a direct threat on Saudi Arabia’s security.
Saudi Arabia officially held Iran responsible for the manufacturing of the ballistic missile launched at Riyadh few days ago, marking the most recent accusation against Tehran for smuggling missiles, dismantling, and regrouping missiles in Yemen.
Official figures showed that the attacks on the kingdom killed 95 civilians and injured 828 others. They also led to the displacement of 20,310 persons from Jazan, Nejran, and Dhahran al-Janub. In addition, Houthis launched thousands of mortar rounds, artillery, and Katyusha rockets at the Saudi southern border.
Houthi militias also targeted mosques and hospitals in southern areas, and according to officials data, 20 facilities had been hit directly including 15 mosques and the remaining 5 missiles damaged hospitals in Jazan, Nejran, and Dhahran al-Janub.
Houthis insurgents also shelled 906 schools, 31 of which were directly targeted and 875 were evacuated because of their locations in dangerous areas, thus denying about 66,000 students from their right to have access to education.
In addition, Houthis’ bombs targeted 2,825 houses, 76 public facilities, 87 farms, 272 shops, and 1,397 cars.
Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen decided to temporary close all Yemen’s air, sea and land entry points while allowing humanitarian and relief aid to enter the country.
Saudi-led coalition closed all entry points after Tehran’s involvement in producing missiles had been proven. Iran smuggled missiles exceeding 900 kilometers in range to the Houthis militias aiming to target Saudi Arabia and its vital interests.
Arab coalition considered it a direct military aggression of Iran and could amount to be considered an act of war against Saudi Arabia. It reiterated the Kingdom’s right to defend its people and territory in accordance with Charter of United Nations, and it asserted Saudi’s right to respond to Iran’s aggression at the right time and place.
Saudi-led coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki said that the missiles provided provided by Iran to Houthis were backed by Iranian experts and with the support of Lebanese Hezbollah.
The spokesperson said that those militias are trying to control Bab el-Mandeb which is a dangerous threat to the regional security and stability and international navigation.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia announced a list of 40 names of militia leaders and elements responsible for planning, executing and supporting various terrorist activities by Houthi terrorist group. The Kingdom also announced financial rewards of over $430 million for information leading to their arrest or whereabouts.
The list included president of Political Council Saleh Ali al-Sammad, head of Revolutionary Committee of the Houthi armed militia Mohammed Ali Abdulkarim al-Houthi, Zakaria al-Shami, Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim, Abduqalik Bader al-Houthi, Mohammed al-Atifi, Yousef Ahssan al-Madani, Abdulqader al-Shami, Abdurab Jurfan, and Yahya al-Shami where a reward of $20 million had been allocated to anyone who gives information leading to their arrest.
