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Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki displays missiles during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: Reuters

In its editorial, titled ‘No faithfulness nor honour’, Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh newspaper, described the ballistic missile attack by the Iranian-backed Al Houthi militias as a dangerous violation of international law. Targeting Saudi cities is an important indication of Al Houthi militias’ state of despair after they incurred major losses on the ground.

The firing of seven missiles simultaneously against four Saudi cities coincided with the visit to Yemen by Martin Griffith, the new United Nations envoy for Yemen, which is the first since his appointment. The missile attack gives clear evidence that Al Houthis have no honour and cannot be trusted. Al Houthis are used by the regime in Tehran as a mere tool to carry out its malicious and dubious designs. The attacks mark a very dangerous escalation that will not be overlooked. The consequences will be dire and worse than what is expected by the Iranians and Al Houthis. “Our national security is a red line, and whoever dares to cross it will be harshly punished,” the paper said.

Sharjah-based Al Khaleej newspaper says the deadly attack on Saudi Arabia by the Iranian-funded Al Houthi terrorists is strongly condemned and decried. However, the vicious attack comes as no surprise, because it was carried out by a dark group that violates all rules and regulations. Worse still, the missile attacks that targeted densely-populated areas has gone beyond ethical principles. The acts of escalation by Al Houthi are insane and illogical, reflecting the state of despair by the axis of evil encompassing Iran, Qatar and Hezbollah, the paper said. Now, anyone who reads the regional political scene in its true context, can realise the magnitude of evil planned by this axis against the region. While Al Houthis are trying to gather the remains of their illegitimate dream, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are topping the axis of hope to restore legitimacy in Yemen and rehabilitate the power and prestige of the Arab nation.

Al Seyassah, a Kuwaiti daily, criticised Arab parties that welcomed the war crimes committed by Al Houthis against Saudi Arabia. Some Arabs, particularly from the Gulf Cooperation Council, who support such barbaric acts, need to have a lesson in international law and another lesson in nationalism and Arabism. It is a shame to see some Gulf citizens supporting Al Houthi crimes against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the greater GCC region. The Arabs, particularly Gulf citizens, must realise that those who incite Al Houthis to attack Saudi Arabia and shed the blood of its people are akin to those who steal from their parents’ house to feed the thieves, the paper said.

Lebanese newspaper Al Mustaqbal said that there is no doubt that the missiles are Iranian and Al Houthis are a mere tool in the hands of the regime in Tehran. Following the end of its war against Iraq during the era of Saddam Hussain, Tehran has been enjoying the use of its tools and agents in the region to strike on its behalf. This malicious approach helps Iran to avoid launching direct strikes or involving itself in direct wars, thereby eventually avoiding the costly and grave consequences of its acts. But Al Houthis and Tehran have failed to achieve their goal of firing missiles against Saudi cities after the national air forces succeeded in intercepting them all.