Rubio: The Houthis have posed a threat... and are committed to security agreements with Saudi Arabia

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In conjunction with the "Yemen Dawn" operation and the advance of the Yemeni armed forces on several fronts, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself after being attacked by the Houthis.

Rubio stated in remarks to reporters that what is currently happening in Yemen is a counterattack against Houthi aggressions, as Yemeni forces attempt to reclaim territories that the Houthis have entered, adding: "These are lands that the Houthis seized as a result of their attack, and what is happening now is a response to that. We expected this to happen, and it has indeed happened."

He emphasized that "the Yemeni and Saudi governments will not accept Houthi control over Bab al-Mandab," confirming that Washington has agreements and security commitments with Saudi Arabia and will fulfill them.

Rubio's statements came in conjunction with the rapid developments on the ground in Yemen, following the announcement by the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, of the start of a large-scale military operation named "Yemen Dawn," aimed at asserting state authority over the entire national territory.

The Yemeni forces announced the control of areas in the western coast, including Bab al-Mandab and Dhubab, while advancing towards Al-Mokha, coinciding with the continuation of military operations on several fronts.

Following the advance on the western coast, the Yemeni armed forces began what they described as a "strategic attack" on the capital, Sana'a, where sources reported that warplanes launched several airstrikes on sites in the capital, while the Yemeni forces stated that they are using modern capabilities in the attack.

The Coalition to Support Legitimacy also announced the destruction of 324 high-value targets since the launch of Operation "Fajr Yemen," and the securing of air protection for the Bab al-Mandab Strait, noting that 100 fighter jets participated in the operation that began early Monday.