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Saudi forces intercept ballistic missile towards Jazan - coalition

JEDDAH, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- The Saudi air defense forces on Tuesday intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias from Yemen towards Jazan, south of Saudi Arabia, said the command of coalition forces to support the legitimacy in Yemen.
The missile was deliberately fired by the Houthis towards the Kingdom's territory to target civilians and the populated areas, spokesman for the coalition Colonel Turki Al-Maliki said.
He noted that this hostile action committed by the Houthi group proves the continued involvement of the Iranian regime's support for the Houthis with qualitative capabilities.
This comes in explicit defiance and violation of the UN resolutions 2216 and 2231, with the aim of threatening Saudi, regional and international security, he made clear.
Launching such missiles towards the populated cities and villages runs counter to international humanitarian laws, he indicated.
Al-Maliki renewed his call for the international community to take seriously and effectively further steps in order to stop "the blatant Iranian violations" of continued smuggling and transfer of ballistic missiles and weapons to the terrorist groups and outlaws.
He also urged the international community to hold Iran accountable for its support and blatant defiance of international norms and values, and threat to regional and international security. (end) nh.hm