Saudi Ambassador: Operation Decision Storm Will Restore Stability in Yemen

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said today that military operations in Yemen have been successful in thwarting the Houthi militia's goal of taking over Yemen. He provided an update at a press conference at the Saudi Embassy.

"Operation Decisive Storm to support legitimacy in Yemen is very successful and exceeded its set goals," stated Amb. Al-Jubeir. "The popular committees in the south have been increasingly more successful, as they have been receiving arms from the coalition and they have been able to push back against the Houthis in a number of areas... We are also beginning to see cracks in the Houthi military structure. We're seeing commanders defect back to the regular Yemeni military." 

The ambassador reiterated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz's statement that Operation Decisive Storm will continue until its objectives are achieved. He said the operation has seen tremendous results in just three weeks. The coalition has cut off the Houthis from receiving any supplies or reinforcements, causing them to scatter and disband.

The ambassador commended the UN Security Council for passing a resolution barring the Houthis from receiving any outside weapons or aid. "We're very satisfied with the resolution that was passed, as you know, 14-0," he said. "The resolution we see as a victory for Yemen and for the Yemeni people and for the legitimate government."

The ambassador reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for the people of Yemen and their legitimate government. "Our objective is to ensure that Yemen can become a prosperous, thriving, safe, secure country in which all Yemenis, irrespective of their ethnicity or their religious background can live as equal citizens, including the Houthis," the ambassador said. "We seek nothing but good for Yemen and for the Houthis, and that for them to achieve their objectives, they really should accept the political process."

The ambassador stressed that the coalition forces have been very cautious in targeting military targets and minimizing civilian damage. He said several times that reports that Saudi-led airstrikes have hit civilian targets are false.

"The Houthis have no choice but to give up their quest to take over Yemen by force because they will fail. We will make sure of this," said Amb. Al-Jubeir. "There is no circumstance under which the Houthis and former president Ali Abdullah Saleh will prevail in any way, shape or form in Yemen."

The video of the press conference can be viewed here.

For Operation Decisive Storm updates, please visit www.operationdecisivestorm.com/

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office