RIYADH — The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said that the Iran-backed Houthi militia has sustained hostilities despite agreeing to a two-week ceasefire with fresh violations.

The latest violation by the Houthi rebels came on Friday when they deliberately launched a ballistic missile to target civilians and civilian areas in Ma’rib city.

A statement by the official spokesman of the Coalition Col Turki Al-Maliki confirmed this on Saturday. The statement read: “At (2252) Friday, 17 April 2020, the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militia deliberately launched a ballistic missile to target civilians and civilian objects in (Ma’rib) city.

“The Houthi militia’s escalation of hostilities using ballistic missiles to deliberately target civilians and civilian objects underscores the militia’s denial of all efforts and initiatives of ceasefire and de-escalation, the last of which was the initiative by the Joint Forces Command of a ceasefire for two weeks.

“The Joint Forces Command is continuing to exercise utmost restraint in its rules of engagement, while maintaining the legitimate right to respond proportionately in self-defense and undertaking all necessary measures to protect civilians in Yemen from the wrath of this terrorist militia.

“The Coalition will continue its commitment of ceasefire, and support to the efforts and endeavors of the Special Envoy for Yemen to reach a comprehensive political solution.” — SPA