CENTCOM Commander in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Latest Developments in Yemen

Al-Taj News – An informed source said on Friday that U.S. Central Command Commander Brad Cooper is currently visiting Saudi Arabia to hold meetings and coordinate regarding the Houthis’ recent advances in Yemen.

In this context, the U.S. news website Axios said that the United States is increasingly concerned about the rapidly escalating conflict in Yemen and is working to step up its support for Saudi Arabia, while at the same time seeking to avoid direct military intervention.

Cooper’s visit comes amid rapidly unfolding developments on the ground, as the Houthis on Friday expanded the scope of their control along Yemen’s western coast, reaching the heart of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, after their fighters deployed on the strategic Mayyun Island and reached Dhu Bab.

The Saudi-led coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen announced on Wednesday that the Houthis had attacked the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan in the Kingdom with a number of ballistic missiles and drones.

The coalition forces’ spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Malki, affirmed that “the Joint Coalition Forces Command will deal with these attacks responsibly to protect the Kingdom’s sovereignty and national capabilities, and to protect civilians and civilian objects.”