The Spokesperson for the Coalition Forces to Support the Legitimacy in Yemen, Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, issued a statement that, at 12:40 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) have intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia from within Sa’ada governorate within Yemen aimed towards the Kingdom. The missile launched was headed towards the city of Jizan, deliberately targeting highly populated civilian areas. The RSADF succeeded in intercepting and destroying the missile, which resulted in missile fragments scattering over the residential areas, thankfully without causing any injuries. 

Col. Al-Maliki stated that both missiles were launched deliberately against the capital city of Riyadh, and were aimed at civilian populated areas, and is a clear violation of United Nations resolution 2216 and 2231, threatening the security of the Kingdom and threatening regional security. It further emphasizes the damaging role Iran is playing in the region, providing the Houthi militias with weapons and ammunition. The firing of ballistic missiles at populated cities and villages is a violation of international humanitarian law, proving that the Iranian-backed Houthi militia continues to flaunt their disregard for international values.