FM says participation in Yemen operation legitimate, necessary

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt — Jordan's participation in the Saudi-Arabia led coalition against the Houthis in Yemen came as a response to a call made by the legitimate president of Yemen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh said Thursday.

Jordan, which joined a coalition of regional countries in the fight against the Houthi militants, supports Saudi Arabia, which started the operations against the Houthi rebels late Wednesday, Judeh said at a meeting with reporters ahead of the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting to prepare for the 26th Arab Summit slated for Saturday.

"Yemen's President Abed-Rabbo Mansour Hadi called for intervention …. He is the legitimate leader of Yemen, therefore, our participation in the operation is legitimate as far as the international law is concerned," said Judeh

Stressing that the security of the Gulf countries is an interest of the Kingdom, Judeh said Jordan's involvement in the operation is meant to protect the stability and security of Yemen, where Houthi rebels are fighting to oust Yemen president.

In the defence of Yemen’s legitimacy, Jordan has joined a regional coalition led by Saudi Arabia and includes Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Sudan, Morocco and Pakistan.

 Late Wednesday, warplanes from the coalition bombed the main airport and the nearby al Dulaimi military air base of the Houthi-held capital Sanaa, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported.

"We stand by Saudi Arabia in its fight," said Judeh.

Saudi Arabia was contributing 100 warplanes to the operation - dubbed "Storm of Resolve" - and more than 85 more were provided by the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan, according to Al-Arabiya.

Fighting has spread across Yemen since last September, when the Houthis seized Sanaa and began to fan out across the country, forcing Hadi out of the capital, according to Reuters.

The White House said the US supported the operation, and that President Barack Obama had authorised US "logistical and intelligence support", according to the news agency.

Reuters reported that Hadi has been holed up Aden with loyalist forces since he fled Houthi custody in February.  One of his aides said Hadi remains in the city was "in high spirits" since the operation began.