The spokesperson for the coalition forces fighting to restore legitimacy in Yemen Col. Turki al-Maliki said on Monday that the ballistic missile attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi insurgents were a serious escalation and threat to regional and international security.
Maliki told a news conference in Riyadh that Sunday's missile attacks were a clear violation of international law and accused the Houthis of smuggling weapons from Iran.
We "reserve the right to respond against Iran at the right time and right place,” he said.
The Saudi military said Sunday it intercepted seven ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis at the kingdom, three of them targeting Riyadh, two targeting Jazan and one apiece targeting Najran and Khamis Mushait.
Seventy eight percent of 104 ballistic missiles that have been launched on Saudi Arabia, including Mecca and Riyadh, come from Yemen’s Saadah and north of Amran, said Maliki.
The rebels are also using Sana'a airport to launch missiles on Saudi territory, he told the press conference.
It’s the international community’s role to confront Houthi attacks and hold Iran accountable, he said.
Tehran is exploiting the port of Hodeidah in Yemen to smuggle the ballistic missiles, Maliki stated.
During the press conference, Maliki showcased evidence of the Iranian regime's involvement in providing and smuggling missiles and weapons to the Houthis.
He said the fragments of missiles targeting Saudi Arabia indicate Tehran’s involvement in supporting Houthis.
Maliki also showed Iran-made missiles that were seized in Yemen and were aimed for the insurgents.
