Coalition denies Al Houthis captured pro-government soldiers

Riyadh: A recent Al Houthi claim that it had captured thousands of pro-government forces in Yemen is “totally false”, Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki Al Maliki said on Monday.

During a press conference in Riyadh he accused Iran-aligned Al Houthis of staging a “misleading show” after the extremists claimed they had made massive military gains.

“Al Houthi militia media recently staged a show in which it made misleading claims,” Al Maliki said.

“We do not comment on the militia media and its misleading of international and regional public opinion,” he added.

The alliance’s spokesman also showed footage of some military operations against Al Houthis and their weaponry supplies.

Around 1,500 militants were killed and 250 military vehicles destroyed in the strikes, according to him.

Al Houthis’ allegations came two weeks after they claimed a drone attack on Saudi oil facilities that disrupted the kingdom’s oil production.

Saudi Arabia and the US blamed Iran for the attack that raised global fears of the flow of oil supplies.

Hodeida truce violated

Al Maliki also accused Al Houthis of violating a UN-brokered truce deal on the port city of Hodeida signed last December.

He said that the militants are still using Hodeida and other cities for firing ballistic missiles at civilian facilities.

In recent months, Al Houthis have stepped up their missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia.