Saudi Arabia: We intercepted seven missiles fired from Yemen

Saudi Arabia claims that its defense system has intercepted seven ballistic missiles launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Reports indicate that the debris from the missiles fell on a residential area, resulting in one death. The missile attacks by the Houthis occurred in the third year of the coalition operations led by Riyadh against them. International news agencies report that the death of one person due to the missile debris in a Riyadh area is the first instance of human casualties since the coalition operations began in the Saudi capital, although missiles fired by the Houthis had previously caused several deaths and injuries in other regions of Saudi Arabia. The Houthi rebels have confirmed targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and several other areas. According to the rebels, Burkan H-2 missiles were used in the attack on Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition stated that Najran, Jazan, and Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia were other areas targeted by missile attacks. The official Saudi news agency quoted a spokesperson for the coalition as saying that the remnants of the missiles intercepted by Saudi defense systems fell on a house in Riyadh, resulting in the death of an Egyptian citizen, with two others injured. Reuters and the French news agency reported hearing several explosions and seeing flames in the sky from reporters or witnesses in the area. The Houthi rebels have repeatedly launched missiles at various parts of Saudi Arabia. Various reports indicate that the Saudi defense system has intercepted these missiles. Saudi Arabia and the United States claim that Iran provides missile weapons to the Houthis. Iran has denied these accusations. United Nations experts responsible for monitoring the implementation of Yemen sanctions visited Saudi Arabia twice, once in May and July 2017, and then in November and December of the same year, to investigate the remnants of ground-to-ground missiles fired by the Houthis at Saudi targets. These experts concluded that these weapons originated from Iran and reached the Houthis after the Security Council sanctions began in March 2015. According to a UN report, based on Security Council Resolution 2216, which emphasizes the prohibition of direct or indirect arms shipments to the Houthis and their allies, the review committee found that the Islamic Republic of Iran violated this provision and did not show the necessary caution in refraining from selling or transferring missiles and drones to the Houthis and supporters of Ali Abdullah Saleh. Tehran has rejected these reports and accused Saudi Arabia of 'distorting all facts.' The Yemen conflict began after the Houthi rebellion and their allies, namely the military affiliates of Ali Abdullah Saleh, against the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, which is still recognized as the legitimate government of Yemen by the UN. The Houthis are supported by Iran. Following this, Saudi Arabia formed a coalition and entered the Yemen conflict. Hadi is supported by Saudi Arabia. Thousands of civilians have been killed during the conflicts. The UN and human rights organizations have repeatedly warned about the situation in Yemen and the occurrence of a major humanitarian disaster there.