The forces of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militias towards Khamis Mushait, and three drones targeting the Riyadh and Sharqiya regions, while the Najran region witnessed the crash of a reconnaissance helicopter belonging to the National Guard. Which resulted in the death of two officers from its air crew, as a result of a technical defect.
The official spokesman for the coalition forces, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, explained on Sunday that the defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles towards Khamis Mushait, two drones in the Riyadh region, and another drone in the eastern region.
The coalition confirmed taking strict operational measures, vowing to neutralize and destroy the offensive capabilities of the Houthi militias, and protect civilians.
Earlier, the Saudi Civil Defense issued an early warning in Riyadh, Abha, and Khamis Mushait, before declaring that the danger had passed, and called for following official instructions and heading to the nearest safe place inside buildings, while staying away from windows and open places until the situation is declared over.
In a separate incident, the official spokesman for the coalition forces announced in a statement on Sunday that an AH-6I reconnaissance helicopter belonging to the National Guard had fallen and crashed inside Saudi territory in the Najran region, as a result of a technical defect, indicating that the accident resulted in the death of its air crew, consisting of two officers.
For his part, Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, expressed his sincere condolences and sincere sympathy to the Saudi leadership, government and people, on the death of two officers from the Ministry of the National Guard, following the fall and crash of the reconnaissance helicopter in the Najran region as a result of a technical malfunction while performing their duties.
Al-Budaiwi asked God Almighty to shower the two officers with His mercy and forgiveness, to make them dwell in His spacious gardens, to inspire their families with patience and solace, and to protect the Kingdom and its people from all harm.
Engineer Walid Al-Khereiji, Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, confirmed on Sunday that the terrorist Houthi militia’s attacks with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones against civil and economic facilities and airports in the Kingdom are full-fledged war crimes.
Al-Khuraiji pointed out, during his meeting with the ambassadors of Arab countries accredited to the Kingdom, that the terrorist Houthi militia’s attacks exceeded all moral and religious considerations, by deliberately targeting Mecca, Medina, Umrah pilgrims, and visitors. Which makes confronting terrorist militias a shared international responsibility.
He stressed that Saudi Arabia's priority is to protect civilians, and to take all precautionary measures to that end, stressing that the Kingdom will not be lax in protecting its citizens, residents, or visitors, and will take all legitimate measures to defend its lands, repel aggression, and deter aggressors.
Al-Khuraiji reiterated the Kingdom's continued support for the Yemeni people and their legitimate government, and to help them confront the attacks of the terrorist Houthi militia.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s announcement, on Saturday, that his country will implement any measure to protect and defend its brothers, “in accordance with the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” gained great momentum within the framework of historical relations between the two countries.
On Sunday, Cairo began practical measures, represented by the decision of the National Defense Council, headed by President Sisi, to “provide all necessary and possible forms of support to Saudi Arabia.” To defend its security and stability, and to preserve its capabilities, the integrity of its lands, and Islamic sanctities.”
International affairs specialist Ahmed Al-Ibrahim believes that Egyptian support for Saudi Arabia “goes beyond political solidarity, and reflects a realization in Cairo of the direct connection between the security of the Kingdom, the Gulf, and Egyptian national security.”
