Brig. Gen. Ahmed Hasan Asiri, the Coalition Forces' Spokesman and Advisor at the Office of the Minister of Defense, said that it is natural to inform local and world public opinion and the Yemeni public opinion of what is taking place, now, through Operation Renewal of Hope and the latest developments along the Saudi-Yemeni borders. In a press conference held here at Riyadh Airbase, Asiri pointed out that it is well known to all that the Houthi militias have attacked, during the last few days, the Saudi cities, Jazan and Najran, for targeting Saudi citizens, asserting that due to change of situation on the ground and nature of threat, the response will be different, now, because the Kingdom is in a self defense position to defend its people, cities and the security and safety on its border. Asiri drew the attention that the Saudi Armed Forces, with participation of the Coalition Forces, have carried out double tasks, during the last 24 hours, in response to the threat that targeted the Saudi cities, reiterating, at the same time, that the operations are ongoing to achieve the set objectives of Operation Renewal of Hope. The Spokesman of the Coalition Forces said that the Operation Renewal of Hope has three main goals, including prevention of Houthi movements in Yemen, protection of the security and safety of the Yemeni citizen and facilitation of the relief and humanitarian works in Yemen, stressing a negative response of the Houthi militias in spite of all initiatives announced during the past few days, 'due to the escalation of targeting the Saudi cities, we have a new goal through operations which is protecting the Saudi cities and ensuring the safety and security of the Kingdom in addition to the security and safety of the Yemeni citizen and safety of the Yemeni cities against the Houthi practices,' he added. Asiri pointed out that the operations carried out yesterday by the coalition forces were in parallel with the changing approach of the operations, therefore, the response was different. 'We are acting in parallel through the Coalition Command and through the Saudi Armed Forces to achieve the main objective which is to protect the Saudi and the Yemeni citizens. The Saudi Armed Forces and the Coalition Forces carried out yesterday operations targeting sites used to launch operations against the Saudi citizen in the Saudi cities. But, the Coalition Command and the Saudi Armed Forces have not abandoned their role in Operation Renewal of Hope,' Asiri added. Brig. Asiri said that the Houthi militias are trying to abort the humanitarian relief works carried out by the Coalition Forces and the international community through expanding operations on the Kingdom's borders, confirming that there will be enough and sufficient response for this type of acts. 'The Coalition Forces carried out operations in the districts of Aden, Khor Maksar and Mualla districts, against the Houthi militias that continue the works of hit-and-run inside the city in order to horrify citizens and prevent the People's Committees to play their roles in protecting the Yemeni citizens,' Asiri said, stressing that operations targeted yesterday all Houthi command's centers and sites, vehicles gatherings and military equipments in Saada and Maran. Asiri appealed to the Yemeni citizens who are in Saada and Maran to stay away from these sites, pointing out that deadline of evacuation of these sites and regions will finish at 7:00 p.m. in this evening, 'At this moment, the Coalition Forces and the Saudi Armed Forces will start implementation of the appropriate response to these militias and their leaders who have targeted the security and safety of the Saudi citizen,' he added. He asserted that the Saudi Armed Forces and the Coalition Forces are working on two levels: Attacking sites located near the border to silence those who are attacking Saudi border as well as cities and attacks in the depth targeting Saadah region and Maran city, in addition to the continuity of backing up People's Committees and the Resistance, all over the Yemeni Republic, pointing out that Coalition Forces have targeted a runway at an airport in Itiq city, where Houthis were trying to recapture the position, similar to a recently attempt to restore some aircraft to supply these militias. On the land operations, Asiri said that the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Border Guard and the National Guard, for the time being, and during the next days, are and will carry out their duties in protecting Saudi cities to prevent Houthi militias from expanding their operations, pointing to some ongoing engagements to prevent infiltrations by the militias, due to being under pressure from Saadah and its surroundings. Asiri confirmed that the Coalition Command is keeping on the right to tour and inspect all maritime pieces and ships heading towards Yemeni ports, to prevent supplies to the Houthi militias and to facilitate relief works, inside Yemeni cities and seaports.
