Salman, Biden discuss US support for war on Yemen
During a phone call, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz tells US President Joe Biden his country supports US efforts "to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons."
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Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz discussed Wednesday during a phone call with US President Joe Biden the strategic relations between the two countries and developments in the Middle East, including Iran and Yemen.
The White House mentioned that Biden reaffirmed his country's "commitment to support" Riyadh's war on Yemen.
In a statement, the White House said Biden "underscored the US commitment to support Saudi Arabia in the defense of its people and territory."
It is noteworthy that late last month, the US military confirmed that it helped shoot down two Yemeni missiles targeting a UAE airbase hosting American troops.
The operation was in response to the Saudi-led coalition committing several massacres in Yemen, including one in Sanaa, another in Saada, and a third in Al-Hudaydah.
The US military also announced last week that it would support Abu Dhabi by supplying it with a destroyer and fighter jets.
Biden and King Salman “further reiterated the US’ and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring the stability of global energy supplies," the House added.
In addition, the two touched on the ongoing Vienna talks to restore the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.
"Deescalating tensions"
For his part, the Saudi King hailed Biden for “standing with the kingdom and meeting its defensive needs," reported Saudi Arabia's news agency SPA.
“His Majesty cited the kingdom’s support to efforts by the United States to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and stressed the need to work together to counter the destabilizing activities of Iran’s proxies in the region,” SPA added.
According to the agency, the Saudi King claimed that his country is "committed to deescalating tensions in the region and promoting dialogue."
Human rights concerns
Biden had announced on February 4th that the US will cease its support for the war on Yemen and freeze weapons sales to Saudi Arabia as part of his efforts to adjust the US relationship with the kingdom over its human rights violations, including the war on Yemen and the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
However, the Pentagon said that the US State Department has approved a possible deal of $650m sale of air-to-air missiles to Riyadh, and a $500m helicopter maintenance deal.
