US Secretary of State: Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia, posing a threat
Coinciding with the “Yemen Dawn” operation and the progress of the Yemeni armed forces on multiple fronts, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself after coming under Houthi attacks.
Rubio told reporters that the current situation in Yemen constitutes a counterattack against Houthi aggression, noting that Yemeni forces are striving to reclaim territories seized by the Houthis. He added, “These are lands taken by the Houthis as a result of their offensive, and what is happening now is a response to that. We expected this to happen, and it has indeed occurred.”
He stressed that “the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia will not accept Houthi control over the Bab al-Mandab strait,” affirming that Washington has security agreements and commitments with Saudi Arabia and will honor them.
Rubio’s remarks came amid rapid developments on the ground in Yemen, following the announcement by Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, of the launch of a wide-scale military operation codenamed “Yemen Dawn,” aimed at extending state authority over the entire national territory.
Yemeni forces announced their control over areas in the western coastal region, including Bab al-Mandab and Dhubab, while advancing toward Al-Mukha, as military operations continued on several fronts.
Following advances in the western coastal region, the Yemeni armed forces began what they described as a “strategic offensive” on the capital, Sanaa. Sources reported that combat aircraft carried out several airstrikes on targets in the capital, while Yemeni forces stated they are employing modern capabilities in the attack.
The coalition supporting legitimacy also announced the destruction of 324 high-value targets since the launch of the “Yemen Dawn” operation, and the securing of air protection for the Bab al-Mandab strait, noting the participation of 100 fighter jets in the operation, which began on Monday dawn.
