Saudi Arabia warns of Iranian-allied Houthi 'aggression' in Yemen

The Houthis and Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi have established rival power centres in Sanaa and Aden

Yemeni demonstrators clashed on the streets following a protest against the Houthi takeover of several state facilities in the central city of Taiz, Yemen (AFP)

The Sunni leaders of Saudi Arabia will take necessary measures to protect the region against “aggression” by Yemen’s Iranian-allied Houthi group, said the Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal.

The Houthis and Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi have established rival power centres in Sanaa and Aden and denied each other’s legitimacy.

Asked if Riyadh might offer military aid to Mr Hadi, who it recognises as Yemen’s legitimate ruler, Prince Saud said: “Certainly, countries in the region and the Arab world will take the necessary measures to protect the region from aggression.” Asked about Tehran’s role in supporting the Houthis in Yemen, Prince Saud said he was “against Iran’s interference”.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said he was against ‘Iran’s interference’ (AFP)

Earlier, in Cairo, Riyadh Yaseen, Yemen’s interim foreign minister, called for Gulf Arab military intervention in Yemen. The Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, last September. Mr Hadi has set up a power base in the port city of Aden. Today, soldiers loyal to Mr Hadi fought off dozens of Houthi heading for Aden.

Reuters