The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirmed that the coalition operations in Yemen began in 2015 at the request of its legitimate government when it faced an illegal armed rebellion that obstructed the process of peaceful political transition and seized state institutions by armed force.

In his speech before the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Fahd bin Obaidullah Al-Mutairi, Head of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Department at the Saudi delegation to the United Nations, stressed that the coalition's operations aim at restoring the legitimate government in Yemen internationally recognised by the Security Council through resolution no. 2216.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, he confirmed that the Houthi militias and forces loyal to former President Saleh violated international humanitarian law and human rights without any penalties, pointing out that these militias targeted the Kingdom's security with ballistic rockets.

He added that obsession of ballistic weapons by terrorist organisations, including the Houthi armed militias, represents a threat to regional and international security and international shipping routes.

Al-Mutairi expressed his deep regret over the suffering and loss of innocent lives suffered by the Yemeni people. He said that the coalition is taking important steps to protect civilians during its military operations to end suffering, minimise humanitarian damage and speed-up the relief efforts for the Yemeni people.

He stressed that the Kingdom welcomed the role played by the Yemeni National Committee for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations, pointing out that the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) will continue to carry out its tasks and ensure that all military operations comply with the provisions of international humanitarian law and investigate all incidents that are alleged to cause civil damage in order to avoid any errors.

Source: Wam