Yemenis holding a large banner with King Salman’s Picture to thank HRH for his efforts to restore legitimacy to their country.

Riyadh- After a year of launching the “Decisive Storm” by the Arab Coalition to restore legitimacy to Yemen, led by Saudi Arabia, March 25 marks the 1st anniversary of this storm.

Yemen has faced extremely complicated military, security, political and economic developments due to the coup, which was led by Houthi militia and their ally, ousted former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

A massive march was launched on Friday in a number of Yemeni liberated cities located in the east and central of the country. Participants in the march carried huge pictures of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and several leaders of the Arab coalition states.

Meanwhile, Yemeni activists also launched a campaign entitled “#Thanks_Salman”.

The activities that were held in different cities of Yemen in gratitude and appreciation for the sincere stances and the great role being played by the Kingdom under the leadership of King Salman by supporting legitimacy in Yemen and confronting the operations of the Houthis and Saleh militias.

On the other hand, in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Spokesman of Coalition Forces, Advisor at Defense Minister’s Office, Brigadier Ahmed bin Hassan Al-Asiri said that Yemen’s file has been prepared to be discussed by all Saudi Ministries since September 14, 2014, directly after Sanaa was seized.

He added that there was a careful military follow-up, including several scenarios that were put to save the situation there. One of these scenarios was the Saudi intervention to save the legitimacy, following a request from Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Al-Asiri explained after a year of the coalition forces’ intervention that “Yemen was kind of abducted last year and Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi was put under house arrest in Sanaa, then Aden, where he was attacked by military aviation.” “However, this year is different as Hadi is still present with a completely legitimate government, which is internationally recognized by the virtue of International Security Council’s resolution 2216,” he added.

Al-Asiri also pointed out that Houthi coup is internationally criminalized under UN resolution, and the legitimate government controls 90 percent of the Yemeni lands and is in Yemen managing its interior military operations.

Asiri explained for Asharq Al-Awsat that humanitarian aid are arriving to all Yemeni cities and provinces, including areas besieged by Houthis.

He added: “Saudi-Yemeni borders are safe and stable, and Iran’s effect in the country in negligible regardless of its ongoing attempts.

The Advisor at Defense Minister’s Office confirmed for Asharq Al-Awsat that major military operations are over and the current stage is consisted of response operations for the close air support, mainly determined by Yemeni national army.

In addition, Spokesman of Coalition Forces mentioned that before launching the Decisive Storm’s military operations, “we had evidences proving the presence of members from Hezbollah and Iran in Yemen, and today we have doubts that the aid containers arriving at the port of Hodeida are carrying smuggled weapons for the Houthis.”