RIYADH: The Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen has vowed an “unrelenting, resolute response” if Yemen’s Houthi militia continues attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, accusing the group of threatening one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki described the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping as a “reckless and cowardly act” and said they formed part of a long record of maritime terrorism.
“The terrorist Houthi militia has undertaken a reckless and cowardly act by targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea,” Al-Malki said.
He said Saudi Arabia would continue to stand alongside the Yemeni government and people in confronting the Houthis.
Ports Remain Open
Al-Malki rejected claims that Hodeida Port had been targeted, saying all Yemeni ports, including Hodeida, Ras Isa and Salif, remain open and fully operational for commercial shipping.
He said the ports continue to receive food, fuel, construction materials and other commercial cargo, while airports across Yemen also remain open to air traffic.
According to the coalition, the Houthis continue to prevent the resumption of flights at Sana’a International Airport, a move it said has worsened the humanitarian situation for civilians living in Houthis-controlled areas.
Military Response
The coalition said it had carried out what it described as a “firm, resolute and proportionate” military response aimed exclusively at legitimate military targets used by the Houthis to threaten international shipping in the Red Sea.
Al-Malki said the operation achieved its planned objectives and was conducted in accordance with customary international humanitarian law.
He added that the coalition would continue taking all necessary operational measures to protect Saudi Arabia’s national interests, critical infrastructure and commercial vessels.
“The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue to undertake all necessary operational procedures and measures to protect the interests of the Kingdom and its national assets, in addition to protecting our vessels. Should the terrorist Houthi militia continue in this course of hostilities, an unrelenting, resolute response will be mounted accordingly.” Al-Malki said.
