Saudi Arabia conducts military operations in Yemen

(Baonghean.vn) - On Thursday (March 26), Saudi Arabia launched a military campaign - including airstrikes - in Yemen against the Shia Houthi rebels, the Saudi ambassador to the US said.

Adel al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia had acted to "protect the legitimate government" of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi (Photo: EPA)

Iran-backed rebels have grown rapidly in numbers in recent months, forcing Mr Hadi to flee the capital Sanaa. Residents said they could hear explosions in Sanaa and the city’s airport.

Meanwhile, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior leader of the Houthi rebel group, warned that Saudi operations had provoked Yemen and could spark a “wider war” in the region, according to Reuters. Recent developments have also raised concerns that Iran - Saudi Arabia's major regional rival - could be drawn into the conflict.

In another development, reports say Houthi rebels have obtained secret U.S. intelligence documents detailing U.S. operations in Yemen. The files contain identifying information as well as plans for counterterrorism operations, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Mr Jubeir said the Saudi military operation – which includes air strikes – began at 23:00 GMT. Mr Jubeir also stressed that Saudi Arabia “will do whatever is necessary” to protect the people of Yemen’s neighbours and “the legitimate government of Yemen”, and that Gulf states would support the Saudi operation.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates said they had agreed to support President Hadi, according to a statement from the Saudi Press Agency. These countries are all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The Yemeni president has also asked the UN Security Council for military action from willing countries against the Houthi rebels.

Also on Wednesday, reports said Hadi had fled his palace in Aden as rebels advanced on the southern port city. But Yemeni government officials have denied that the president had fled the country, saying he remains in Aden.

According to the Yemeni government, President Hadi is still present in Aden (Photo: bbc.co.uk)

Meanwhile, Yemeni state television, which is run by rebel groups, has offered a ransom for anyone who captures President Hadi.

Pham Tien Hoan(According to BBC)