WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States supports Saudi Arabia’s military operation in Yemen and is grateful for its support in the fight against extremist groups and the countries that back them, US House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement
“Our friendly and historic partnership with Saudi Arabia is the linchpin of America’s interests in the Middle East,” Boehner said after meeting with Saudi officials in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Boehner is leading a US Congressional delegation to Riyadh as the Saudi Arabia-led air offensive against Houthi rebels in Yemen entered its sixth day.
Amnesty International said on Tuesday that the Saudi-led coalition conducting the military operation in Yemen is failing to prevent civilian casualties and has resulting in dozens of dead civilians, including children.
Boehner took the time after meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Interior and Defense Ministries to praise the Yemen offensive, saying “we expressed our appreciation and full support for the campaign the Saudis are leading to defeat the Houthis in Yemen.”
On March 25, a ten-country coalition led by Saudi Arabia began firing air-to-ground missiles on Houthi positions after Yemen’s ousted President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi called for help.
Saudi Arabia is also a member of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State, but critics have accused it of being a source of financing for extremist groups in Syria, Iraq and Pakistan through wealthy donors. The US-ally has voiced concern over the expanding influence of Iran in the region and the nuclear negotiations between international powers and Iran.
