Riyadh, April 22 (IANS) The Saudi Arabia-led coalition command on Tuesday announced the end of the military campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen after they received a message from President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday.
The coalition stated that the airstrikes conducted as part of the “Operation Decisive Storm” military campaign managed “to successfully remove threats to Saudi Arabia’s security and that of neighbouring countries”, SPA reported citing a Saudi defence ministry official.
“The coalition will continue to prevent the movement of Houthi militias from moving or undertaking any operations inside Yemen,” the official said.
A new campaign, named “Operation Restoring Hope”, was also announced after the military campaign launched on March 26 fulfilled its objectives.
The new push would usher in diplomatic and political efforts along with the military operations, the coalition said, adding that the campaign ended following a request received by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, from the “legitimate” Yemeni government led by President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
“Yemen’s history and the Arab nation will record with golden ink the firm historical stance which restored hope to the Yemeni people of their future whereas the Determination Storm has achieved its goals,” the request stated.
“We are confident that our joint endeavours with the coalition countries and the world community would pave the way in Yemen for a new phase, in which its people will fold the latest hurtful events that wreaked it.
“Finally, Yemen peoples’ free will, in drawing their future, away from any subjugation or coercion or imposition of a status quo by force by the Houthi militias and their supporters will prevail,” the request added.
“Operation Restoring Hope”, which would begin on Wednesday, aims to protect civilians and continue fighting terrorism in Yemen, according to the statement.
The coalition did not, however, signal a ceasefire, the official said.
The Saudi-led airstrikes and ground battles have killed about 700 people and wounded 3,000 over the course of nearly a month, according to the Yemeni health and interior ministries.