Arab Coalition Denies Attacking Yemeni Ports

Doha (ANTARA) - The spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab coalition, Major General Turki al-Maliki, said the coalition did not attack Yemeni ports in response to the Houthi strikes on Saudi vessels on Saturday.

Earlier, a source in the Al Hudaydah local government told RIA Novosti that Saudi Arabia had carried out a series of airstrikes on several areas in Al Hudaydah Province in western Yemen.

“The coalition did not bombard the Port of Al Hudaydah or any other Yemeni ports. These ports remain open to receive commercial vessels and maritime transport carrying humanitarian aid,” Al Arabiya quoted al-Maliki as saying.

He added that the coalition would continue to take steps “to protect navigation and the kingdom’s interests,” while warning that any further action by the Houthis would be met with a “proportional response”.

Earlier, a source at the Saudi transport authority said a Saudi tanker had been attacked in the Red Sea, days after Saudi authorities confirmed an attack on the tanker Encelia.

This week, the Houthi group announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the blockade on ports and airports in Yemen.