Responding to Attempts to Target Makkah and Madinah Is Imperative, Warns Saudi Coalition; Yemeni Government Declares Nationwide Military Offensive
RIYADH : The Saudi-led coalition has warned against any hostile attempts by the Houthis to disrupt the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah, urging them to take an immediate and decisive action.Operations to push back Houthis’ attacks on freedom of navigation are ongoing, the coalition said, adding that the Houthis’ aggressive activities have inflicted hardship on the Yemeni people and hurt the country’s overall unity.
Key Highlights of Coalition Warnings and Yemeni OffensiveProtection of Holy Sites:
The coalition highlighted that it would maintain its actions aimed at thwarting the Houthis’ aggression and defend critical civilian infrastructure, pilgrims and the Two Holy Mosques, reiterating its continuing support for Yemen and its people. Official nationwide military operation declared: At the same time, the internationally recognized government of Yemen has officially announced a nationwide military operation.
Objectives:
Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, said the main purpose of the offensive is to retake territory under Houthi control and to restore state authority and institutional control over the whole country. Al-Alimi encouraged citizens of the areas under the Houthis’ control to cooperate with the armed forces and the operation had only been launched after all peaceful methods and de-escalation measures had been exhausted, promising immediate reconstruction and stabilization in all liberated areas.