Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Arabia: We Reserve the Right to Respond to Iranian, Houthi Threats | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Houthi tribesmen hold their weapons as they chant slogans during a tribal gathering showing support for the Houthi movement, in Sana’a, Yemen, May 19, 2016 © AP Photo/ Hani Mohammed


Riyadh – Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Abdullah Al-Muallami said that the U.N. Security Council should assume its responsibilities to stop Iran from breaching international resolutions on Yemen.

In remarks to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper on Thursday, Al-Muallimi said that the letter he submitted to the U.N.S.C. regarding Iran’s violations of Resolution 2216 would be met “with interest” and would generate the “appropriate reaction”.

Saudi Arabia has called for the U.N. Security Council to put an end to the smuggling of Iranian weapons to militias in Yemen as it constitutes a violation of Resolution 2216.

The Kingdom also confirmed its right to take appropriate action to confront the threats posed by the pro-Iran Houthi militias and ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

In a letter addressed to the Council’s presidency on Wednesday, Al-Muallimi highlighted the violations to the resolution including cross-border militia rocket attacks by Houthis and Abdullah Saleh forces.

The letter also said the Kingdom has to deal with the launching of ballistic missiles across the border from Yemen, which has resulted in the killing of hundreds of civilians, and damage to the civil infrastructure, including schools and hospitals in Najran, Jazan and Asir regions.

“On August 31, 2016, Houthi rebel militias and their supporters fired a ballistic missile of the type “ZilZal-3” (“Earthquake-3”) at the city of Najran, in the south of Saudi Arabia. Rocket “ZilZal-3” is a short range ballistic missile produced in Iran,” the Saudi ambassador to the U.N. said.

The letter said the total number of ballistic missiles that have hit the Kingdom’s territories were nearly 30.

“We further urge the Security Council to take all necessary measures to demand that Iran complies with all the relevant Security Council resolutions, cease and desist from any illegal actions in Yemen,” Al-Muallimi added.