The Arab Coalition backing the Yemeni internationally-recognized government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi announced on Friday that the ballistic missile which targeted Riyadh's civilian airport earlier his month was trafficked through the Red Sea port of Hodiedah.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki released a statement saying that the missile launched towards the city of Riyadh on Nov 4 had entered through Yemen's port of Hodeidah.
International, regional backlash erupted after the audacious targeting, as Riyadh chose to resort to reviewing and implementing stringent security checks inhibiting smuggled arms arriving to the hands of Tehran-aligned Houthi militias in Yemen.
On the other hand, the Arab Coalition also announced that 42 flight permits were issued for ships and relief aircraft.
“Since November 4th; there have been 82 permits issued to facilitate entry and aid distribution into Yemen: 40 permits through sea ports and 42 permits through airports,” said the spokesperson.
“This includes issuing clearance for a ship today (Rena), carrying 5,500 Metric Tons of food supplies, to the Port of Hodeidah,” Maliki added.
Additionally, there have been 5 clearances issued to aircraft bound to Sana’a Airport; including the November 22 clearance for an International Committee Red Cross plane.
Three days ago, Saudi Arabia said that the coalition will see to the reopening of Hodeidah port to aid shipments and the Sana’a airport to United Nations flights.
Upon its announcement, the coalition renewed its call for the UN to take over the port of Hodeidah, which is under the control of the coup militia.
The White House welcomed in a statement the coalition’s initiative on reopening each of the port of Hodeidah and the international airport, allowing a healthier flow of humanitarian aid into Yemen.
The statement described the decision to open the port of Hodeidah and Sana’a airport as a first step in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, expressing Washington's aspiration to take additional steps.
