Defense News:
DUBAI — One hundred and fifty-two coalition soldiers are feared dead after a short range ballistic missile strike hit a coalition base at the strategic Bab al-Mandab region in the south, a coalition source told Defense News.
Among the dead in the attack, which took place Monday afternoon, was the commander of the Saudi Special Forces, Col. Abdullah Al Sahyan, the source confirmed.
“So far, nine Emirati soldiers, seven Moroccans and 23 Saudis have been identified,” the source added.
The missile strike was conducted by OTR-21 Tochka mobile missile launch system for short range ballistic missiles, the source said.
The Saudi-led Arab coalition also announced Monday that the planned cease-fire in the country will start at 12:00 midday, Sanaa time, 9:00 am GMT, on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
“The coalition reserves its right to respond to any breach of the seven-day truce which is renewable on December 21 in case of compliance by the other party (the Houthis)”, according to a statement by the command, carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The command of the coalition reaffirmed commitment to supporting the Yemeni people and their internationally recognized government, and contributing to the efforts aiming to reach a political settlement to the Yemeni crisis, SPA reported.
The decision to declare a ceasefire came in response to an initiative contained in a letter by Yemeni President Abd-Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the statement pointed out.
