‘274,302 airstrikes’: Yemen ridicules Saudi outrage over airport claims

Yemeni armed forces spokesperson Yahya Saree has hit back at Saudi Arabia over its claims of attacks on King Khalid International Airport, citing the coalition’s record of more than 274,000 airstrikes against Yemen over 12 years of aggression.

Saree issued the response on Thursday after Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki reported 17 deaths and 333 injuries from attacks on King Khalid International Airport between October 7 and 11.

Al-Maliki claimed that the attacks on Saudi airports threatened regional security and called on Yemeni forces to halt them immediately.

Saree condemned the coalition’s record of military attacks against Yemen, saying the “criminal Saudi enemy” had repeatedly carried out the same kinds of attacks it was now recounting.

More than 2,350 airstrikes and missile attacks had been launched against Yemen since the resumption of Saudi aggression and the latest escalation, Saree added.

“Whoever aggresses against our country should not expect us to salute them,” the spokesperson said, stressing that Yemen would not remain passive in the face of continued attacks.

Saree also renewed the warning to all air navigation companies that Saudi airspace and airports were unsafe, with the exception of the airspace over Mecca and Medina.

“Now, we repeat the same warning, and our armed forces have the ability to reciprocate by the grace of Allah Almighty,” he stated. “Our operations are defensive, and we have the full right to (continue them) until the Saudi enemy ends its aggression and siege on our country,” Saree added.

He concluded by reaffirming Yemen’s commitment to remaining “free, dear, and independent,” expressing confidence in victory for Yemen and the free people of the region.

The Yemeni armed forces counteroffensive came after more than a decade of Saudi-led war and blockade against Yemen, which began in 2015 when Riyadh intervened militarily to restore the former regime in the country.

Saudi Arabia has sharply escalated its aggression in recent weeks, with Yemeni officials reporting hundreds of airstrikes across the country as Riyadh seeks to restore a Saudi-aligned regime in Sana’a.

Yemeni armed forces have responded with several major operations along the Red Sea coast, driving Saudi-backed mercenaries from strategic positions.

The Yemeni forces have also seized strategic areas and islands around Bab al-Mandeb, significantly strengthening their position at one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.