A number of Yemeni expatriates have expressed appreciation for Saudi support to their country, adding that the recently launched Operation Decisive Storm will mark the starting point of rebuilding Yemen anew.

Abdul Salam Al-Qashuri, a Yemeni doctor, thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and other GCC leaders for their timely intervention to stop the Houthi aggression.

The morale of all Yemeni people has significantly improved with the launch of Operation Decisive Storm, he said.

He stressed that the airstrikes are not targeting the Yemeni people but, rather, the Houthi militia and followers of Ali Abdullah Saleh who are killing people under the pretext of fighting terror while everyone knows that all they represent is terrorism at all levels.

For his part, Fadal Al-Humaidi, another Yemeni resident, said the Houthi group has destabilized Yemen’s security and spread chaos and destruction throughout Yemen, and are getting intellectual and ideological support from Iran.

He expressed hope Operation Decisive Storm will not be limited to airstrikes but will include land and sea targets in a manner that will remove this “cancerous tumor” from Yemeni flesh. “We were eager to see this quick intervention from the regional countries to hit back against the Houthi encroachment, and their control over the strategic and vital areas in southern Yemen,” he said.

Salim Al-Hij, another Yemeni resident, expressed appreciation and confidence over the courageous and wise stance of King Salman on launching the operation. He said Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and all the coalition countries responded decisively to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s call to put an end to the Houthi aggression who are acting as tools of the Iranian regime. He said the (Saudi and other GCC) intervention came in time to help rid Yemeni of a miserable chapter in its history.

Abduallah Al-Adashi lauded the courageous role played by the Kingdom. He said King Salman has revived hope in their hearts and, but at the same time, they were alarmed at violations committed by the Houthis and their supporters against the people of Yemen.

If the generous support given by Saudi Arabia to Yemen throughout ages had been properly used by the rulers of Yemen, including Ali Abdullah Saleh, it could have enormously contributed to the development of Yemen. But, unfortunately, the funds were put into dishonest hands which deliberately used them toward the destruction of the country, Al-Adashi said.

He appreciated the role of the Kingdom in protecting the Yemeni people and their legitimate government, and saving them from the arrogance of the Houthis who only believe in the language of arms and blood.

Bandar Al-Aqshouri, another Yemeni resident, said that the Houthis caused massive damage to the Yemeni state including civil, military, political and infrastructure projects. They arrested many of the country’s leaders and allowed Iran’s direct intervention in all Yemeni affairs.

He said the Kingdom was, and still is, supportive of Yemeni causes through all channels. It was the key sponsor of the GCC initiative to rescue Yemen which proves the Kingdom’s keenness on the security and stability of Yemen, he said.

Mansoor Ahmed Hamdani, another Yemeni resident, reflected the joy and pleasure of the Yemenis at the unit-Houthi oppression and the advent of a new era of security, safety and a decent life for the Yemeni people.

Operation Decisive Storm will serve as a fitting reminder to the Houthis and their foreign backers.

Mehdi Hatem Al-Nahari, head of the Yemeni community in Jeddah, thanked King Salman, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries for their prompt action.

He said the Yemeni community in the Kingdom and all over the world strongly condemns all moves by the Houthis. “We appeal to the wise leaders of all the people of Yemen at all levels to put the national interest above all,” he said. “We appeal to all of them to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Yemeni government.”

— With input from Dina Fouad & Fouzia Khan