Marco Rubio Affirms U.S. Security Commitments to Saudi Arabia
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed U.S. security commitments to Saudi Arabia as Yemeni government forces launch an offensive to retake Sanaa from Houthi control.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed on Monday that the United States will honor its bilateral defense and security agreements with Saudi Arabia. Speaking to reporters in Maryland, Rubio stated that Saudi Arabia has a right to defend itself against attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, characterizing current military operations in Yemen as a counterattack against Houthi aggression.
These statements coincide with a major military offensive announced by Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, to retake the capital, Sanaa, and restore state institutions. Saudi-backed Yemeni forces have already reported seizing the Dhubab district and other strategic positions near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical shipping corridor linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
While the United States is providing intelligence and advisory assistance to Saudi Arabia, Washington has explicitly ruled out direct participation in combat operations or kinetic strikes. Amid the escalating conflict, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported multiple explosions near a tanker 60 nautical miles south of Mokha on Sunday, though the crew remained safe.
