Rubio Says Saudi Arabia has the Right to Defend Itself

AP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

US State Secretary Marco Rubio stated that Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself against Houthi attacks, following a series of attacks by the Houthi group, coinciding with the launch of Operation “Dawn of Yemen” and advances by Yemeni armed forces on several fronts.

"The United States has a defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia, and we intend to live by it," Rubio told reporters ahead of a European tour including Iceland, Greece, and Portugal, declining to elaborate on operational specifics.

Rubio said that in the face of continuous Houthi attacks, Riyadh has "a right to defend themselves," adding that Yemeni allied forces are trying to recover areas lost during previous clashes.

Addressing control around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Rubio said Saudi and Yemeni troops oppose Houthi domination near the maritime corridor, describing local counter-offensives as an expected development.



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