Saudi TV said at dawn today, Saturday, that the Saudi-led coalition carried out air strikes on targets against the Houthi group in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, while the UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, called for redoubling international efforts to settle differences through negotiations.
The television stated that the coalition called on civilians to stay away from the targeted sites, describing them as legitimate targets.
Yesterday, Friday, the coalition announced the destruction of a Houthi ballistic missile launcher in Saada Governorate, adjacent to the Saudi border, northwest of Yemen.
"This platform posed an imminent threat," he added, without further details.
Yesterday, the coalition carried out air strikes on military targets in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which has been under the control of the Houthis for nearly seven years.
The coalition targeted the presidential camp in response to the threat and after a careful intelligence operation, according to a statement, explaining that it monitored movements to transfer qualitative weapons after the targeting.
The coalition also announced the killing of 90 members of the Houthi group in Marib, after carrying out 16 operations within 24 hours.
"The targets destroyed 12 military vehicles," he said, stressing "his support for the Yemeni army to achieve progress on the ground to protect civilians."
Targeting Houthi leaders
In a new development, the coalition threatened that it would place the leaders of the Iranian-backed Houthi group within the bank of military targets that would be targeted.
He indicated that he will work to take preventive measures to spare civilians and civilian sites collateral damage, pointing out that all of its operations are in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.
On the other hand, Hans Grundberg expressed his concern about the military escalation in Marib (central) and the western coast, highlighting the risks that further escalation may bring.
The UN envoy added - in a statement after concluding a visit to Moscow - we are facing the possibility of a military escalation, which will inevitably multiply the suffering of civilians.
He stressed that doubling international efforts is essential to convince all parties of the need to settle differences around the negotiating table.
Yemen has been witnessing for nearly 7 years a continuous war between the pro-government forces backed by a military coalition led by the Saudi neighbor, and the Iranian-backed Houthis who have controlled several governorates - including the capital, Sanaa - since September 2014.