Brig. Gen. Ahmed bin Hasan Asiri, consultant at the minister of defense's office, said today that the Coalition forces continue to devastate the Houthi militia weapons and ammunition stores and monitor their movements. In his fifth daily briefing on the campaign, which he held at Riyadh airbase, Asiri said that according to the projected plan and prescribed timetable, ballistic missiles were today targeted, citing an abortive attempt by Houthi militias yesterday to launch a ballistic missile from 60-65 kilometers on the outskirts of Sanaa but fell aground due to a launching error. Fighters were immediately directed to pinpoint the launching pad and it was destroyed, Asiri stated. In the afternoon, the warplanes targeted a site for a stored missile and devastated it, he gave another example, adding that work is underway to destroy the remaining ballistic missiles, particularly the mobile ones. He said a great intelligence effort is being exerted to determine the locations of those hidden machines by the Houthi militias inside homes and residential areas. He said that a big part of this day as well as yesterday's operations have targeted Houthi militia movements and installations of ordnance and vehicles, pointing that these militias and loyal groups taking their sides attempted to transport tanks between different cities, but immediately were dealt with, in addition to targeting warehouses of ammunition, supply and provision used by the Houthis. Work is, intensively, undergoing on roads leading to Aden, to hinder any advance by the Houthis and their supporters, Asiri remarked, stressing that operations round the clock are taking place, in all parts of Yemen. Airstrikes, he added, have turned to target Houthis commanders' movements, supplies and vehicles shuttling, which were targeted and directly shot, asserting that the work is taking place at that tempo to, completely, paralyze Houthis movement, whatsoever. Asked about reports that the coalition forces have erroneously targeted a refugee camp in Al-Hajar area in Yemen, Asiri explained that the Houthi militias are trying to implant their forces within residential areas, putting them at stake. However, the coalition forces are doing their best to avoid hitting civilians, he stated. He added that today the coalition warplanes were targeted by fires coming out of a residential area, forcing a decisive response from the coalition forces. He reiterated that the coalition forces are strenuously working to evade such situations and doing their best to pinpoint their target and guarantee that no civilians could be jeopardized. On coordination with Yemeni tribes on the ground, he said the campaign is divided into several phases and objectives still on schedule. He said the current phase includes guaranteeing blocking the Houthi militias not to reach the Saudi border with Yemen. When we are poised to launch a land attack, we are going to announce it, he added, noting that today the Navy has deployed its forces along the border and started maneuvers. On amending the military strikes timetable, Asiri said any military timetable is vulnerable to being amended as it is affected by so many factors, among which are weather changes and response of the enemy and others. Asked about the participation of the Pakistani forces, he confirmed Pakistan's announcement from the very first day in the coalition, noting that coordination is taking place between specialists in the two sides to determine the time and size of participation. He said the Sammam 5 military drill which periodically takes place between the Kingdom and Pakistan is aming to the exchange of experience and mutual benefits between the two sides. Asked about reports that there were suspicious movements along the coasts and the coast of Eritrea, Asiri said the coalition forces are in full control of the skies and that the navy has completed its deployment and is controlling all ports to prevent any hostile access to or from them. He denied the occurrence of any naval acts or infiltration. If any, the coalition forces will take the appropriate measures to deal with them according to the specific bases of engagement of those forces, he added. Asked to confirm whether Houthi leaders have fled the field towards Yemeni-Omani border following clashes with Yemeni tribes, Asiri said that all the legitimacy supporters and those keen on the security and stability of Yemen and the protection of Yemeni people, be them belong to the tribes, popular committees or Yemeni army are resisting those militias simultaneously with the ongoing coalition operations. He added that such clashes are possible and the tribes are aware of the role they have to play and they are given air support on different intervals.
