Arab Coalition Warns May Resort to 'All Measures' to Bar Military Use of Hodeidah Port, Sanaa Airport

A view of Hodeidah port on November 7, 2017. (Getty Images)
A view of Hodeidah port on November 7, 2017. (Getty Images)
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Arab Coalition Warns May Resort to 'All Measures' to Bar Military Use of Hodeidah Port, Sanaa Airport

A view of Hodeidah port on November 7, 2017. (Getty Images)
A view of Hodeidah port on November 7, 2017. (Getty Images)

The Saudi-led Arab coalition confirmed on Monday that the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen had targeted al-Hardh city in the Hajjah province and the Ahem region with four ballistic missiles.

The rockets were fired from Hodeidah port and Sanaa international airport, it revealed in a statement.

The coalition warned against the use of Hodeidah port and Sanaa airport for military acts that threaten regional and international security.

It stressed that it will take "all operations measures" to address the sources of the threats in order to protect civilians in Yemen.

The Houthis have already previously used Hodeidah port and Sanaa airport to launch ballistic missiles and armed drones in attacks against neighboring countries and Yemeni cities.

The coalition has said the militias have effectively transformed the airport into a military base.

Meanwhile, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf praised the efforts exerted by the coalition in backing the political solution and relief operations in Yemen.

Hajraf met on Monday with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber.

He said the coalition is seeking to achieve security and stability in Yemen and resolve its crisis according to the three references: The Gulf initiative, national dialogue outcomes and United Nations Security Council resolution 2216.



Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis
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Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi militias in Yemen said Israeli airstrikes on Thursday targeted Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah, following several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel.

The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports at Hodeidah, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib along with Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations. It came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned.”

Netanyahu monitored the new strikes along with military leaders, his government said. The Iran-backed Houthis' media outlet confirmed the strikes in a Telegram post but gave no immediate details. The US military also has targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days.

Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in Tel Aviv. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeidah, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has instructed its diplomatic missions in Europe to try to get the Houthis designated as a terrorist organisation.
The UN Security Council is due to meet on Monday over Houthi attacks against Israel, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said on Wednesday.