Saudi-led coalition announces limited pre-emptive strikes in Yemen

RIYADH, Jan 7 (KUNA) -- The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's legitimacy announced on Wednesday that it carried out limited pre-emptive strikes in Yemen's Al-Dhalea governorate to maintain security and protect civilians.
Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the strikes were conducted at dawn after intelligence indicated movements by armed forces linked to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), including tanks, armored vehicles, and heavy weapons, aimed at escalating tensions and destabilizing security in Aden and neighboring areas.
Al-Maliki explained that the coalition had earlier invited STC leader Aidarous Al-Zubaidi to Riyadh for urgent talks with Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi to address recent escalations in Hadramout and Al-Mahrah. However, while an STC delegation departed Yemen, Al-Zubaidi failed to travel and instead went into hiding, according to the statement.
The coalition said the pre-emptive strikes successfully disrupted the armed forces' movements in Al-Dhalea, preventing the expansion of the conflict. It reaffirmed its coordination with Yemen's government and local authorities to support security efforts and urged civilians to avoid military sites and report suspicious movements to security forces. (end) kns.dss