Since Saudi Arabia launched its peace initiative for ending the conflict in Yemen on March 23, Houthi militias have fired over 37 explosive drones and ballistic missiles against civilian targets and facilities in the Kingdom.
Houthi cross-border attacks coincided with the militia pressing on with its military offensive against the Yemeni governorate of Marib, where thousands of internally displaced Yemenis have sought refuge from ongoing violence.
These attacks exacerbated the humanitarian crisis engulfing Yemen.
While the international and regional communities have welcomed the Saudi peace plan, Houthis have ignored invitations for promoting peace efforts for resolving the Yemeni conflict.
More so, the Iran-aligned group continued to ramp up its military operations in all battlefronts.
Its latest assault included the targeting of Saudi Arabia’s southern border city of Jazan.
The Saudi-led Arab Coalition on Thursday announced that Saudi defense systems took down five ballistic missiles and four explosive-laden drones launched towards the Kingdom.
On April 12, the Arab Coalition had foiled a similar Houthi attack. It destroyed a ballistic missile and three explosive drones targeting the southern Saudi city.
The attacks targeting Jazan are the latest in a long line of hostile actions against the Kingdom by the Houthi militia.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak had repeatedly urged for greater international pressure to force the group to stop its military escalation and engage in peace efforts.
In the meantime, each of the US and UN special envoys for Yemen is working to conduct intensive consultations with various Yemeni, regional and international parties to map out a possible peace plan.
Nevertheless, efforts spent by Tim Lenderking and Martin Griffiths are taking place at a time when Houthis have shown commitment to violence and a staggering disregard to international calls.
On April 11, the Arab Coalition intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and six explosive drones launched by the militia towards Saudi Arabia.
Other cross-border attacks launched by Houthis against the Kingdom were also foiled by the Coalition on April 9 and 11 and March 26, 28 and 30.
