Defense ministry denies al-Houthi claim of targeting civilians

SANA'A, Aug. 15
(Saba)- An official source at Ministry of Defense denied on Saturday claims of
Abdul Maleek
al-Houthi, a leader of rebellion in Saada, that the warplanes targeted villages,
cities, markets and the displaced people's camps in the governorate of Saada,
confirming
that the aircrafts targeted rebels.
He also denied use of the army for phosphorus bomb, saying that the Yemeni army
doesn't have such weapons.
The official said that such claim was an attempt by al-Houthi to hide crimes of his
elements of killing citizens and damages public and private property in the
governorate.
He added that rebels prevented thousands of displaced people to get assistance and
kidnapped Red Crescent workers to ban them from doing their humanitarian
assistance.
He affirmed concern of the army to avoid hurting citizens, saying that the basic
mission of the armed forces was to protect innocent citizens from elements of
"al-Houthi
terrorism", sent these elements to justice and maintain security and stability in
the region.
AH