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Saudi-led coalition against Houthis takes control of Yemen's sea ports

Xinhua, March 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

Saudi Arabia announced on Monday its full control of Yemen's sea ports in operation Decisive Storm against the Houthis, Al Arabiya news reported.

Brigadier Ahmed Al Asiri, spokesperson of the operation, told the daily press conference that the Saudi-led coalition of 10 countries carried out a maritime operation which succeeded in securing Yemen's sea ports, where all arriving and departing ships are being screened.

He also said there was a failed attempt by Houthis to launch a ballistic missile targeting a Saudi center by the border. "Houthi militia launched the missile in Sanaa but it fell due to technical malfunction, and the coalition forces rushed to the area and destroyed it."

The spokesperson said the current objective of the coalition is to destroy all ballistic missiles and stop Houthis from advancing towards Aden, as the militias are storing weapons to attack Yemenis and neighboring countries.

Saudi Arabia and fellow GCC member states launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen on March 26, a move condemned by Iran but supported by the United States, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco. Endit