Brig. Gen. Ahmed bin Hasan Asiri, consultant at the minister of defense's office, today expressed welcome of all relief efforts, provided by countries or humanitarian organizations, urging that applications for such work be presented through diplomatic channels, citing the need to prepare the material capabilities to accommodate such relief assistance and to match them with the current military operations. In today's daily briefing on the campaign, which he held at Riyadh airbase, Asiri said that Najran airport resumed operating, noting that flights will go as scheduled after being suspended due to random firing originating from the vicinity of the airport. He said that the concerned authorities opened an investigation into the incident to determine the source of the individual source of the fire, adding that the current situation requires taking utmost degree of caution and vigilance. Brig. Gen. Asiri said that the coalition's operations are continuing, and especially targeting objects in Aden and the surrounding, noting that everyone knows that Houthi militia elements were stationed within the city of Aden and along the roads leading to it during the presence of Yemeni President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi in Aden sometime ago. The coalition forces intensified operations during the past 24 hours, particularly in the north of the city of Aden, he said, adding that all moving targets towards the city were attacked. He pointed out that the pressure is mounting, especially on Brigade 33rd located around the cities of Shabwa and Dalea. Brig. Gen. Asiri said that the operations are continuing in northern Yemen region of Saada, Houthi militias once stronghold, including the cities of Dalea and Shabwa where they are now trying to enter to find shelters from coalition airstrikes and thus mingle with the population. Brig. Asiri said that the situation in the north of Aden is currently quiet and all movements are targeted, whether individual or collective. He added that all supply movements and attempts to transfer supplies among the cities and some army units are directly targeted by the coalition's aircraft. He disclosed that the air forces continued to target all air defense sites in addition to ballistic missiles with some of them targeted for the second time in order to ensure their complete destruction whether inside the cities or in the northern areas, including Saada and others, pointing out that 'Kettaf' camp in north of Yemen was targeted yesterday in addition to some brigade camps seized by Houthi militias. There are groups of Houthi militia, inside Aden, before the start of the operations, he stated. They are dealt with by both People's Committees stationed inside Aden and the coalition forces from outside of the city to cut the way of providing them with any supplies, preventing them from moving or inflicting harm on the people, he reaffirmed. As soon as a report comes from a peoples' committee on a move by any Houthi group, the aircraft working around the clock, would, immediately, deal with the situation, Asiri added. Ground operations have continued, at the same tempo, by the Saudi Royal Land Forces targeting the concentrations and movements along the Saudi-Yemeni border, while naval battleships completed their deployment to carry out the maritime blockade of all Yemeni ports, he said. Then, Asiri answered the reporters' questions. Regarding the size of Saudi forces near the Yemeni borders, he explained that there are many sectors in the region and all units have been allocated for a certain job, stressing that the existing forces are sufficient to deal with any threats. In reply to a question to target the Houthi training sites outside the land scale, Brig. Asiri confirmed that the theater of operations covers the Republic of Yemen and the airspace and ports of Yemen are under the complete control of the coalition forces. Thus, existence of locations outside the territory of Yemen is not a goal, but the goal is that Houthi militias have no impact on the operations inside Yemen. Regarding reports of civilian deaths in Dhamar city, Brig. Asiri explained that Houthi militias are under pressure and try to enter the city in order to transfer the fight into the cities, thus there are victims, stressing that the coalition forces are operating with precision. 'The trucks are targeted only after the intelligence units make sure that the trucks are under control of Houthi militias,' he added, pointing out that the air forces attack units heading to Shabwa and Dalea in order to prevent them from enhancing their existence within cities. Regarding a request of Yemeni Foreign Minister about the ground intervention, Brig. Asiri confirmed that the minister speaks in a holistic manner, stating that the main goals of the campaign are to support the legitimacy. 'With regard to the field work and planning, it is a military affair. When the coalition forces need a ground action, they will not hesitate to do it,' he added, pointing out that the airstrikes are carried out due to a timetable in order to achieve its objectives. Brig. Asiri confirmed that there should be goals for the ground attack serving the ultimate goal of the Determination Storm. With regard to the arrival of Houthi relief and medical aid, Brig. Asiri said that the airspace is under the complete control of the coalition forces, stressing that the relief organizations which wish to send assistance should obtain prior permission from the leadership of the coalition. Brig. Asiri stressed that several ships are scattering meantime but there is no movement to and from the ports as everything is controlled by the navy. In reply to a question on the impact of electronic warfare on the military operation, Brig. Asiri said that the military organization mechanism takes into account all dimensions and are prepared before, during and after the military operations, including electronic communications, jamming, eavesdropping and others. He pointed out that every unit is aware of its responsibilities and duties. 'The coalition forces realize their role towards safety and security of the Yemeni people. There is coordination among the coalition forces for supporting and providing relief to the Yemeni people,' Brig. Asiri added. Regarding presence of fighters from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and members of the Hezbollah fighters with Houthis, Brig. Asiri confirmed that these militias are trained and supported by Iran and Hezbollah. 'If ever there is such a thing in combating sites, they will be dealt with indiscriminately', he added. About existence of guerrilla warfare within cities, Brig. Asiri said that such cases are found in specific cities because of previous existence of the militias inside them, pointing out that the People's Committees and the pro-legitimacy Yemeni army are playing their part with support of the coalition forces around the clock until fighting stops. Brig. Asiri confirmed that presence of Houthi militias within residential neighborhoods is an obstacle to the coalition force, stressing that the coalition forces seek to ensure the safety of the Yemeni citizens.
