RIYADH: Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh may be in possession of chemical weapons, coalition spokesman and adviser at the office of the minister of defense Brig. Gen. Ahmad Al-Asiri said in Riyadh, Friday.
Responding to a question, Al-Asiri did not rule out the possibility of Saleh keeping chemical weapons for personal purposes, saying that the allied forces are taking utmost caution and will chase them, reported a local daily.
Addressing the daily press briefing in Riyadh on the ninth day of the operation “Decisive Storm” on Friday, Al-Asiri hinted at starting ground offensive if required.
“The allied forces impose total blockade on Yemen’s air and sea sectors as well as its coasts, and hence nobody can enter or leave the country without the consent of the forces.
The intense operation has incapacitated the Houthi militia tremendously and there was only isolated presence of the rebels in Aden and the borders with the Kingdom,” he said, adding that the forces continue targeting them to cut their supply lines.
During the day, the Saudi-led coalition warplanes airdropped weapons and medical aid to fighters defending the southern Yemeni city of Aden.
Reports also emerged that Houthi militants and their allies have withdrawn from the Crater neighborhood as well as one of Aden’s presidential residences which they seized a day earlier.
