Saudis Resume Military Action Against Rebels in Yemen
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iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Saudi Arabia resumed military action against Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen Wednesday after saying Tuesday that it would suspend air strikes against the Iranian-backed militant group.
According to Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., his country ordered the air campaign targeting rebels in the Yemeni city of Taiz after Houthis reportedly attacked government forces.
After the Saudis announced they were suspending the month-long offensive, there had been hope of a ceasefire and talks between the Houthis and officials from the U.S.-backed government of Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is in exile.
However, al-Jubeir said that air strikes might be stepped up again if the rebels don’t back down.
The Saudis are also reluctant to lift an air and sea embargo that has stopped necessary supplies from reaching people in Yemen, which has added to the humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, the White House is fearful that if both the U.S. and Iran became further entangled in Yemen’s deteriorating security situation, it could also waylay the tentative nuclear deal struck between Washington and Tehran.
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