Coalition Spokesman Says Regional Actors Provided Houthis With Advanced Weapons

Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, revealed on Thursday that the coalition had inflicted severe damage on the Houthi terrorist militia, including the destruction of 127 weapons depots, numerous launch platforms, and key sources of funding.

During a press conference in Riyadh, Al-Maliki noted that some regional parties had supplied the militia with advanced technologies.

“The Saudi Armed Forces possess highly advanced combat systems and a highly efficient air defense system capable of intercepting threats and foiling targeting attempts,” he said. “This ensures the protection of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security, resources, holy sites, citizens, and residents.”

Coalition Targets Funding and Storage Sites

The spokesperson stated that the Houthi militia had built weapons storage facilities in mountainous areas of Sanaa, Saada, and Amran and used them as bases for launching attacks. He added that the militia also employed tunnel entrances and natural cavities in mountains to launch missiles.

Al-Maliki disclosed that the coalition had targeted vital funding sources for the Houthi terrorist militia, including the Al-Sabaha Central Station in Sanaa, marine berths at Ras Issa in Hodeidah, an underground fuel depot in Hodeidah, and a fuel depot in Dummar.

He said that the coalition had destroyed several tunnels, a missile launch platform, and ballistic missile depots in Sanaa, Saada, and Amran. The coalition also intercepted cruise missiles and destroyed Shahed and Samad drones.

Houthi Attacks on Saudi Infrastructure and Civilian Toll

Al-Maliki highlighted that the Houthi militia had launched 20 attacks on King Khalid International Airport since the beginning of October. He also mentioned attempts to target Makkah and Madinah, describing the efforts to strike the Two Holy Mosques as heinous and brutal.

The spokesman stressed that the Houthis threatened civil aviation and put civilian lives at risk. The attack on King Khalid International Airport resulted in 17 deaths and 333 injuries, while the attack on Abha Airport caused three deaths and 28 injuries.

He disclosed that 1,104 missiles and 1,135 drones had been launched at the Kingdom since the start of operations.

“These brutal terrorist attacks, including the one that occurred during peak hours, do not only target the Kingdom’s airports, but also threaten the safety of travelers, including citizens and pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques from all corners of the earth,” Al-Maliki said.

Advanced Technologies and Regional Support

Al-Maliki pointed out that the Houthis had acquired advanced technologies with help from regional parties, making them the first terrorist group to possess ballistic missiles, attack and suicide drones, and booby-trapped speedboats.

The spokesman affirmed that the Houthi militias were threatening freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and had established mountain storage facilities concentrated in Sanaa, Saada, and Amran, from where they launched terrorist attacks against Yemen and neighboring countries.

“The coalition was working to dismantle this terrorist network and eliminate its experts and operators by destroying mountain storage facilities and fixed and mobile launch platforms, supported by a round-the-clock intelligence system,” he said.

Al-Maliki strongly condemned the terrorist attacks by the Houthi militia against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Kingdom, including the Riyadh airport. He reaffirmed that the coalition would continue operations to deter the Houthi terrorist militias and reiterated its support for the legitimate government and the Yemeni armed forces. He called on the Houthis to immediately cease all terrorist operations targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

During the press conference, Al-Maliki showed footage of strikes on tunnels, weapons depots, and missile launchers in Sanaa and Saada, including ballistic missile storage facilities in the mountains surrounding the Yemeni capital. He displayed videos of operations targeting Houthi ballistic missile launch experts. The coalition spokesperson also showed images of cruise missiles used in attacks on King Khalid International Airport, along with footage documenting strikes on Saudi airports.