Saudi Arabia started airstrikes on Houthi rebel positions in Yemen late on Wednesday, vowing to do “anything necessary” to restore a government deposed by the Shia rebel group. Driven weeks ago from the capital Sana’a by the Houthis, Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi left the country on a boat from the southern port of Aden and reached Riyadh.

Hadi’s departure came after Houthi airstrikes on his troops, a sign that rebels held air superiority and that his calls for an international no-fly zone had been disregarded. The rebels were advancing toward his position. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned the military intervention.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the U.S. Adel al-Jubeir said his government consulted with the U.S. and other allies, but said the U.S. military was not involved in the operations. Nine other countries joined the military coalition. Pakistan said it was sending a delegation to Saudi Arabia on Riyadh’s request that it join the coalition.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar said on Thursday they had decided to act to protect Yemen. The Houthi advance is being viewed by Saudi Arabia as an attempt to move Yemen closer to Iran.

Oil prices jumped in Asia on Thursday following the airstrikes.
(The Hindu)