Saudi Arabia intercepts ballistic missile fired by Houthis on Jazan

RIYADH — Saudi air defense intercepted, late Thursday, a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi Militia on Jazan and managed to destroy the missile before hitting any .

At 21:35 hours Thursday evening, the Saudi Royal Air Defense Forces intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi militias from Yemeni territories (Saada Governorate) towards Saudi territories, Saudi Press Agency quoted the Spokesman of the Coalition Forces supporting legitimacy in Yemen Col. Turki Al-Malki on Thursday evening.

The missile was fired towards Jazan city intentionally to target civilian populated areas, he said. Al-Malki added: “This hostile act by the Iran-backed Houthi militias proves the Iranian regime’s continued involvement in supporting the armed Houthi militias with qualitative capabilities, in a clear and flagrant challenge and breach of UN Security Council resolutions 2216 and 2231.

“This is with the objective of threatening the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as regional and global security. The firing of ballistic missiles towards populated cities and villages is a violation of international law.”

On Wednesday, the Security Council strongly condemned the launching of missiles by the militias on Saudi Arabia.

The Security Council affirmed that the ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militias threaten the security of the region and expressed its concern that the militias announced their intention to target Saudi Arabia and other countries.

It urged all member states to implement fully the arms embargo as required by Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2216.

The Security Council members expressed their deep concern over the violation of the embargo.

Saudi Arabia’s air defense forces blocked 104 ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-backed Houthi militias against the Kingdom since the dawn of June 6, 2015, when a Scud missile was destroyed by the Saudi Patriot defense system, in addition to seven ballistic missiles which were launched this week on a number of Saudi cities.

The missiles were monitored and intercepted while in air. — SPA/Al Arabiya English