Rubio Says US Will Honor Security Commitments to Saudi Arabia
"The United States has a defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia, and we intend to live by it," Rubio told reporters before beginning a European tour that includes stops in Iceland, Greece and Portugal. He declined to provide further details about how the commitment could be implemented.
Rubio said Riyadh has "a right to defend themselves" in response to continued Houthi attacks, while Yemeni forces aligned with Saudi Arabia are seeking to regain territory they previously lost during fighting.
Regarding security around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Rubio said Saudi and Yemeni forces are opposed to Houthi control near the strategic maritime passage, describing the counter-offensive efforts by local forces as an expected development.
His comments came after Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, announced Monday that a military campaign had been launched to retake the capital, Sanaa, with backing from the country’s “brothers and friends.” The stated aim is to restore government institutions from Houthi control, which has continued in the capital since 2014.
Yemeni army forces also reported taking control of the Dhubab district and securing strategic locations near the strait.
Washington has so far ruled out directly joining kinetic strikes supporting the campaign, instead opting to assist Saudi Arabia through intelligence sharing and advisory support.
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