Saudi-led coalition vows ‘unprecedented’ force against Houthi threats

The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government has vowed to respond “with unprecedented determination and force” to any attempt to target Saudi Arabia or violate Yemen’s sovereignty, following threats from Yemen’s Houthi group.

Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said in a statement on Saturday that Houthi threats against the kingdom were “merely an attempt to divert attention away from their grave violations against the brotherly people of Yemen.”

He accused the group of trying “to export the economic disasters and Yemeni suffering they have caused,” while also deflecting attention from the rejection they face from Yemeni tribal and social groups onto neighbouring countries.

Al-Malki said Saudi Arabia, the coalition and international partners had worked to ease Yemeni suffering caused by the Houthi takeover and to resolve the crisis through a roadmap accepted by Yemen’s government but rejected by the Houthis, who, he said, instead attacked shipping lanes and international trade in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

“The Coalition will respond with unprecedented determination and force to any and all attempts to target the Kingdom, its citizens and residents and national assets, or any attempt to violate the sovereignty of the brotherly Republic of Yemen in a manner that conforms with the Customary International Humanitarian Law,” he said.

Related