Headlines
Saudi Arabia ends 'Decisive Storm' military operation in Yemen
Riyadh, April 22
The Saudi Arabian defence
ministry announced on Tuesday the end of the military campaign against
the Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to media reports.
The
ministry stated that the airstrikes conducted as part of the "Operation
Decisive Storm" military campaign had managed "to successfully remove
threats to Saudi Arabia's security and that of neighbouring countries",
according to an Al Arabiya News report.
"The coalition will
continue to prevent the movement of Houthi militias from moving or
undertaking any operations inside Yemen," an official said.
A new
campaign, named "Operation Restoring Hope", was announced after the
military campaign launched on March 26 fulfilled its objectives.
The
new push will usher in diplomatic and political efforts along with the
military operations, the official said, adding that the campaign ended
following a request from the "legitimate" Yemeni government led by
President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
"Operation Restoring Hope",
which will begin on Wednesday, aims to protect civilians and continue
fighting terrorism in Yemen, according to a Saudi defence ministry
statement.
It 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.