RIYADH — The Royal Air Defense Forces have intercepted several ballistic missiles launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia from the Yemeni capital Sanaa targeting cities in the Kingdom, the Arab Coalition’s spokesperson Col. Turki Al-Maliki said in a statement.

Al-Maliki said the attack took place at 3 a.m. local time on Friday morning.

“Sanaa has become a Houthi militia assembly, installation and launching hub for ballistic missiles that target the Kingdom.”

The statement said these missiles were launched “in a deliberate and systematic manner” in order to target cities and civilians in Saudi Arabia, describing the attack as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.

“The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has exercised extreme prudence and self-restraint in dealing with the violations of the Houthi militia through launching ballistic missiles, UAVs and Remote Controlled exploding boats,” Al-Maliki added.

Al-Maliki assured that the Coalition will continue to apply and implement all decisive and rigorous measures, in accordance with the International Humanitarian Law, to protect Coalition States’ nationals and expatriates from such barbaric attacks. — SG