RIYADH — Col. Turki Al-Malki, official spokesman of the coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, affirmed that the coalition operations are continuing to support Yemen's stability, restore legitimacy and liberate all Yemeni cities from the presence of Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias and extremist groups. "The coalition supports development and maintains potentials of the Yemeni people," he said while addressing a press conference of the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition here on Monday. Col. Al-Malki said that the escalation in Aden, Yemen's interim capital, by the Transitional Council was unfortunate because the events have moved into a dangerous level, resulting in many deaths, martyrdom and injuries. "These acts have harmed the interests of the Yemeni people and the legitimate government as well as the private and public properties," he said. Al-Malki pointed out that the Joint Forces Command of the coalition worked with all political and social components and the legitimate Yemeni government to achieve calm and engage in a dialogue. "We will not allow tampering with the interests of the Yemeni people during this difficult and critical period in Aden," Al-Malki said, while calling for joint work from all political and social components with the Yemeni legitimate government to achieve aspirations of the Yemeni people and liberate all Yemeni territories. The spokesman appreciated the acceptance of the Transitional Council and the Yemeni government of the upcoming dialogue, which came in accordance with the joint action of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Subsequently, a team of Joint Forces Command of the coalition from Saudi Arabia and UAE formed a joint committee to oversee the withdrawal of the military forces of the Transitional Council from the units and headquarters that have been controlled, indicating that the process of withdrawal actually began from these government headquarters, including Aden Hospital, Central Bank, Judiciary and Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers. Col. Al-Malki highlighted the latest developments in Yemen as well as Houthi breaches and threats against regional and international security in addition to operations targeting Houthi capabilities in the Yemeni territories. He also pointed out violations committed by the Houthi terrorist militias through targeting international civil objects and civilians, as well as violations of the international humanitarian law by using drones which target civil objects and civilians with Iranian weapons. The spokesperson affirmed a continuation of humanitarian and relief operations via land, sea and air ports in addition to the humanitarian efforts of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen and programs of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief).
