RIYADH — The ‘Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen’ said it had carried out a legitimate military action in the area targeting Houthis responsible for a deadly missile attack on Jazan on Wednesday. “The Coalition is targeting the militants responsible for planning and targeting civilians which resulted in killing of one and injuring 11 in Jazan,” it said.

These militants were targeted in Saadah Governorate, Yemen. This action is in conformity with the humanitarian law, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted Col. Turki Al-Maliki, the official spokesman of the Coalition as stating on Thursday.

Col. Al-Maliki stressed: “The Coalition will take all necessary measures against the terrorist, criminal acts of the Iranian-Houthi militias, such as recruiting child soldiers, pushing them into battlefields and using them as shields for their terrorist acts.”

Col. Al-Maliki affirmed that the leaders and militants responsible for launching ballistic missiles and targeting civilians would be held accountable under the Coalition’s efforts to prevent terrorist elements from compromising regional and international security.

On Wednesday night, Col. Al-Maliki stated that at (20:34) the Coalition Air Defense detected a ballistic missile launch from Northern Amran in Yemen, aimed at Saudi Arabia.

‏Col. Al-Maliki reported that the ballistic missile was launched deliberately by the terrorist Iranian Houthi militias to target densely-populated civilian areas in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, where the missile was intercepted and destroyed by the Royal Saudi Air Defense. This act is a blatant violation of articles 51 and 52 of the International Humanitarian Law.

‏He continued: “The interception resulted in projection of fragments throughout some residential areas, which caused the martyrdom of a Yemeni resident, and injuries to 11 civilians.”

‏Col. Al-Maliki added: “This hostile act carried out by the Houthi militias proves that the Iranian regime is still providing them with advanced capabilities, in flagrant defiance of UNSC resolutions 2216 and 2231, with the main objective of threatening the Saudi Arabian, regional and international security.”

‏He added: “Launching ballistic missiles at densely-populated civilian areas is a direct breach of the principles of international humanitarian law.”

Col. Al-Maliki stressed: “The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will take all deterrent measures against such barbaric, frivolous launches in conformity with the international humanitarian law, and those who support these terrorist crimes will be held accountable for their actions. The Coalition will continue its efforts in sustaining regional and international security.” – SPA