Sanaa says alleged Saudi casualties result from intercepting defense systems
Yemeni foreign ministry claims Riyadh intercepts over populated areas to maximize casualties; says Yemen targets only military bases and oil facilities.
Yemen’s foreign ministry claims Saudi casualties stem from intercepting Saudi defense systems, and asserts Yemen does not target civilians, only military bases and oil facilities; it also condemns Saudi actions and says Yemen reserves the right to respond.
Tehran—IRNA reports, citing a Yemen Foreign Ministry statement from Sanaa, that the alleged Saudi casualties are the result of intercepting Saudi defense systems. The statement accuses Riyadh of deliberately conducting interception operations over densely populated areas to cause greater casualties. It adds that Yemeni armed forces do not target civilians but only military bases and oil facilities that fund the Saudi military campaign. The ministry also denounces Saudi actions as “criminal and ISIS-like” and says the international community should assume responsibility for these acts. It affirms that Yemen reserves the right to respond to any aggression against its security and stability and will take the necessary measures.