Yemen's Ansarullah denies hitting non-military targets in Saudi Arabia

Mohammed al-Farah, a member of the political bureau of the Yemeni Ansarullah movement, has responded to Saudi claims of targeting civilians, asserting that no non-military targets were struck in Saudi Arabia. In a statement, al-Farah said: "No target in Saudi Arabia has been hit that could be considered a civilian target." He added: "What was hit were legitimate military targets and was carried out in response to the widespread Saudi aggression that killed dozens of Yemeni civilians, women, and children."

The Saudi Foreign Ministry had earlier claimed that 73 civilians were injured in the Yemeni attack on vital centers in the country, portraying the kingdom as an aggrieved party. The Ansarullah official's remarks directly challenge that narrative, emphasizing that the strikes were in retaliation for Saudi-led coalition operations that have caused significant civilian casualties in Yemen.

The conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and Yemen's Ansarullah movement has been ongoing for years, with frequent exchanges of fire. The Yemeni forces have repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory, often targeting airports, oil facilities, and other infrastructure, which they describe as military or strategic sites. Saudi authorities, however, have often reported civilian injuries and damage, leading to international concern.

This latest exchange underscores the continued volatility in the region and the difficulty of achieving a political settlement. The Ansarullah movement has consistently maintained that its attacks are a legitimate response to the coalition's aggression and blockade, which have exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in Yemen. According to Mehr News Agency, the statement by al-Farah was reported without further comment, but it highlights the ongoing war of narratives between the two sides.