Saudi Arabia launches air attacks in Yemen

Washington Post ^ | 03/25/2015 | By Ali al-Mujahed and Karen DeYoung

[SeekAndFind]

SANAA, Yemen — Saudi Arabia and its Persian Gulf allies launched air attacks early Thursday in neighboring Yemen, after Shiite rebels believed backed by Iran swept toward that country’s second-largest city and forced the president to flee.

The Saudi ambassador to the United States, Adel al-Jubeir, made the announcement Wednesday evening in Washington. He said the operation began at 7 p.m. Eastern time in order “to prevent Yemen from falling into the hands of the Houthis,” the rebels.

The operation was an extraordinary development that could plunge Yemen into full-out war. The ambassador said that military forces from several countries were preparing to join the operation, apparently referring to Saudi Arabia’s gulf allies. He said the airstrikes had targeted sites around the country, including in its capital, Sanaa. The Saudi government had consulted “very closely and very intensely with our partners, in particular the United States,” he said.

Jubeir said the operation would continue until President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi was returned to office. “The operations are limited to defending the government and preventing its collapse,” he said.

The gulf countries acted as Aden was close to being seized by the rebels. That would give them control of the capital and the country’s main sea gateway.

That could have marked the end of Hadi’s bid to stay in power. He had been a key Saudi ally and had worked closely with the U.S. government to fight al-Qaeda. .

[BenLurkin]

ditto

[BOOHA]

muslim wacking muslim

[Rio]

it’s a beautiful thing...

[Cubs Fan]

an all out shia versus sunni middle east war would be the best thing that could happen for the west.

[Grampa Dave]

“Report of Saudi tanks entering Yemen. Not confirmed.”

Hope that these tanks have same ROE’s that our warriors do under Emir Obozo. (Sarcasm here)