Saudi-backed Yemeni Council denies participation in US coalition

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
13 Dec 2023 02:31
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This comes after media reports circulated that the Saudi-backed government had received an invitation from the US to participate in a multinational military coalition.

Saudi-backed Yemeni coastguard members ride in a speedboat and a patrol boat cruising in the Red Sea off of the town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by Khaled Ziad / AFP)

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defense in the Saudi-backed Yemeni Presidential Council denied on Wednesday reports of the government's participation in a new international coalition to "protect maritime routes."

This comes after media reports circulated that the Saudi-backed government had received an invitation from the United States to participate in a multinational military coalition to confront "attacks" in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Washington had stated its intention to form an international coalition to "protect navigation" in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait from what it described as Yemeni "threats".

Earlier, the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, confirmed that Washington is in talks with other countries about establishing a naval task force in the Red Sea.

A couple of days ago, John Kirby, the spokesperson for strategic communications at the US National Security Council, stated that the United States is currently focused on ensuring that there are sufficient military assets "to deter threats" in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg revealed that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates doubt the Biden administration's resolve to take military action against Yemenis, as it is faced with multiple crises.

Riyadh also has to take into account ongoing talks with the Sanaa government, which if successful, would see an end to its nine-year-long war on neighboring Yemen.

In a related context, the Joint Meeting Parties in Sanaa warned any Yemeni faction or component against joining any alliance that serves the Israeli occupation.

The Joint Meeting Parties affirmed that "the Yemeni people will stand against any component that engages in the Zionist enemy's agenda under the guise of protecting navigation."

This comes after the Yemeni naval forces targeted the Norwegian-flagged Strinda ship, which was loaded with oil and headed to the ports of the Israeli occupation, according to the spokesperson of the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree.

The Yemeni Armed Forces affirmed their continued prevention of ships of all nationalities heading to Israeli ports from navigating in the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea until the blockade on the Gaza Strip is lifted.

Later, a member of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen, Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, advised to "avoid risks in the Red Sea and swiftly respond to the orders of the Yemeni navy." He also advised against ships heading toward occupied ports in Palestine.

Al-Houthi recalled that "the Yemeni Armed Forces have clearly announced their goals in support of Gaza, including stopping the American-Israeli terrorist aggression."