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| Saudi Arabia targets strategic areas around Yemen in heavy bombardment | Saudi Arabia targets strategic areas around Yemen in heavy bombardment |
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| SANAA, Yemen — Saudi Arabia launched intense airstrikes on neighboring Yemen on Thursday, as part of a bold Arab-led offensive against Shiite rebels that threatened to expand into a war involving ground troops. | SANAA, Yemen — Saudi Arabia launched intense airstrikes on neighboring Yemen on Thursday, as part of a bold Arab-led offensive against Shiite rebels that threatened to expand into a war involving ground troops. |
| Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies plunged into the Yemen crisis after a rebel advance forced the country’s Western-backed president to flee and left the Shiite insurgents, known as Houthis, on the brink of controlling the country’s two largest cities. | Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies plunged into the Yemen crisis after a rebel advance forced the country’s Western-backed president to flee and left the Shiite insurgents, known as Houthis, on the brink of controlling the country’s two largest cities. |
| The Saudi-led campaign reflects a balance-of-power showdown with Shiite power Iran, which is believed to back the Houthi rebels and had appeared poised to gain new footholds on the Sunni-dominated Arabian peninsula. The offensive drew sharp reactions throughout the Middle East, with Shiite powers like the Iranian and Iraqi government and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia denouncing the bombing. | The Saudi-led campaign reflects a balance-of-power showdown with Shiite power Iran, which is believed to back the Houthi rebels and had appeared poised to gain new footholds on the Sunni-dominated Arabian peninsula. The offensive drew sharp reactions throughout the Middle East, with Shiite powers like the Iranian and Iraqi government and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia denouncing the bombing. |
| There were indications that the battle could expand to a land war. Saudi state TV said Thursday that a ground offensive was being studied, but gave no further details. Egypt’s minister of foreign affairs, Sameh Shoukri, said in a speech to Arab foreign ministers that Egypt was willing “to send ground forces if necessary” to back the anti-Houthi fight. | There were indications that the battle could expand to a land war. Saudi state TV said Thursday that a ground offensive was being studied, but gave no further details. Egypt’s minister of foreign affairs, Sameh Shoukri, said in a speech to Arab foreign ministers that Egypt was willing “to send ground forces if necessary” to back the anti-Houthi fight. |
| Four Egyptian naval vessels were expected to arrive off Yemen’s coast later Thursday. The Associated Press quoted unidentified Egyptian security and military officials as saying that Saudi Arabia and Egypt would lead a ground operation in Yemen, with troops arriving by land from Saudi Arabia and by sea from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. They said other nations would participate, according to the AP. The officials did not say when the offensive might start. | Four Egyptian naval vessels were expected to arrive off Yemen’s coast later Thursday. The Associated Press quoted unidentified Egyptian security and military officials as saying that Saudi Arabia and Egypt would lead a ground operation in Yemen, with troops arriving by land from Saudi Arabia and by sea from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. They said other nations would participate, according to the AP. The officials did not say when the offensive might start. |
| A ground invasion would be aimed at forcing the rebels to reach a power-sharing agreement, the news agency reported. | A ground invasion would be aimed at forcing the rebels to reach a power-sharing agreement, the news agency reported. |
| Saudi Arabia has mobilized a major force — with direct or political support of other Sunni states — that suggested it was prepared for a sustained fight that could mirror the U.S.-led attacks against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. | Saudi Arabia has mobilized a major force — with direct or political support of other Sunni states — that suggested it was prepared for a sustained fight that could mirror the U.S.-led attacks against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. |
| While up to 10 partner states are believed to be participating in the Saudi-led coalition, nearly all have refrained from acknowledging their role. In one exception, the government of Bahrain said Thursday that it had sent 12 fighter jets to participate as part of the Joint Peninsula Shield Forces. It said the decision to participate had been made “in response to a call” from Saudi King Salman. | While up to 10 partner states are believed to be participating in the Saudi-led coalition, nearly all have refrained from acknowledging their role. In one exception, the government of Bahrain said Thursday that it had sent 12 fighter jets to participate as part of the Joint Peninsula Shield Forces. It said the decision to participate had been made “in response to a call” from Saudi King Salman. |
| Jordan’s Petra News Agency, quoting unnamed “official” sources, said that Jordan was also “participating along with many Arab countries” in the operation. The report made no mention of the form of Jordan’s participation—believed to be a contribution of jet fighters—but said that the source declined to comment on Jordan’s “participation in ground military operations.” | |
| The United States — which viewed Hadi as a key partner in the fight against Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch — offered intelligence help and other logistical support as part of a “joint planning cell” with the Saudi-led force. | The United States — which viewed Hadi as a key partner in the fight against Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch — offered intelligence help and other logistical support as part of a “joint planning cell” with the Saudi-led force. |
| Saudi officials have said they are seeking to restore to power President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who had been driven out of the capital, Sanaa, and then abandoned his last outpost in the southern port of Aden on Wednesday. | Saudi officials have said they are seeking to restore to power President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who had been driven out of the capital, Sanaa, and then abandoned his last outpost in the southern port of Aden on Wednesday. |
| Shoukri, the Egyptian minister, said in a speech that “if we do not act quickly it (the Houthi advance) will prove to be a threat to the security of all Arab nations.” | Shoukri, the Egyptian minister, said in a speech that “if we do not act quickly it (the Houthi advance) will prove to be a threat to the security of all Arab nations.” |
| According to the Egyptian state newspaper El Ahram, Egypt has sent four naval warships to the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. An anonymous military source quoted by the paper stated that the naval vessels were going to “secure the theater” to maintain control of Egyptian territorial waters, but that they were on alert “to intervene in any way deemed necessary by the armed forces and as quickly as possible.” | |
| [Pentagon loses track of $500 million in weapons, equipment given to Yemen] | [Pentagon loses track of $500 million in weapons, equipment given to Yemen] |
| In Switzerland, Secretary of State John F. Kerry took time away from nuclear talks with Iran to join a telephone conference with the foreign ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, a bloc anchored by Saudi Arabia. | In Switzerland, Secretary of State John F. Kerry took time away from nuclear talks with Iran to join a telephone conference with the foreign ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, a bloc anchored by Saudi Arabia. |
| And in a sign of the regional tensions, Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, denounced the Saudi-led attacks and suggested Tehran could expand its opposition. | And in a sign of the regional tensions, Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, denounced the Saudi-led attacks and suggested Tehran could expand its opposition. |
| “We will spare no effort to contain the crisis in Yemen,” Zarif told Iran’s Arabic-language al-Alam channel. | “We will spare no effort to contain the crisis in Yemen,” Zarif told Iran’s Arabic-language al-Alam channel. |
| Meanwhile, financial markets reacted to the fast-moving events in Yemen, with many stock exchanges falling and global oil prices surging. | Meanwhile, financial markets reacted to the fast-moving events in Yemen, with many stock exchanges falling and global oil prices surging. |
| The initial wave of airstrikes appeared concentrated on the Sanaa area, hitting Houthi bases, the rebel-held presidential palace and the Dalaimi air force — destroying runways and warplanes used in rebel attacks. | The initial wave of airstrikes appeared concentrated on the Sanaa area, hitting Houthi bases, the rebel-held presidential palace and the Dalaimi air force — destroying runways and warplanes used in rebel attacks. |
| Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya News reported that Saudi Arabia had deployed 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and other navy units. Saudi Arabia has massed troops and tanks on its border with Yemen. | Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya News reported that Saudi Arabia had deployed 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and other navy units. Saudi Arabia has massed troops and tanks on its border with Yemen. |
| Amid the widening chaos, frightened residents of the capital reported heavy bombardments. The extent of casualties was not immediately clear. | Amid the widening chaos, frightened residents of the capital reported heavy bombardments. The extent of casualties was not immediately clear. |
| “You can almost hear the ground underneath your feet shake,” an unidentified Sanaa resident, who was hiding out in his basement, told the British Broadcasting Corporation from the besieged capital Thursday morning. | “You can almost hear the ground underneath your feet shake,” an unidentified Sanaa resident, who was hiding out in his basement, told the British Broadcasting Corporation from the besieged capital Thursday morning. |
| The strikes were a dramatic turn of events that came as the Houthis, in control of Yemen’s capital for months, barreled south toward the coastal city of Aden, seizing an air base along the way that was evacuated by U.S. Special Operations forces last week. Thursday’s airstrikes also targeted that captured airbase. | The strikes were a dramatic turn of events that came as the Houthis, in control of Yemen’s capital for months, barreled south toward the coastal city of Aden, seizing an air base along the way that was evacuated by U.S. Special Operations forces last week. Thursday’s airstrikes also targeted that captured airbase. |
| The whereabouts of Yemen’s embattled president Hadi remained unclear. | The whereabouts of Yemen’s embattled president Hadi remained unclear. |
| Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir said the attacks would last until Yemen’s “legitimate government” was restored. A coalition of more than 10 countries had joined the military campaign, including Gulf Arab states, Egypt, Jordan and Sudan. | Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir said the attacks would last until Yemen’s “legitimate government” was restored. A coalition of more than 10 countries had joined the military campaign, including Gulf Arab states, Egypt, Jordan and Sudan. |
| Quickly, pledges of support were issued from a range of nations across the Muslim world including Morocco and Turkey. | Quickly, pledges of support were issued from a range of nations across the Muslim world including Morocco and Turkey. |
| Hadi has been a key ally of Saudi Arabia and the United States, which has depended on his government to support its efforts against Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. AQAP holds patches of the country and views the Houthis as foes in the competition for influence and Yemen’s modest oil wealth. U.S. efforts included training of Yemeni special operations forces and drone strikes launched from the al-Anad air base, about 35 miles from Aden. | Hadi has been a key ally of Saudi Arabia and the United States, which has depended on his government to support its efforts against Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. AQAP holds patches of the country and views the Houthis as foes in the competition for influence and Yemen’s modest oil wealth. U.S. efforts included training of Yemeni special operations forces and drone strikes launched from the al-Anad air base, about 35 miles from Aden. |
| [Who are the Houthis?] | [Who are the Houthis?] |
| Saudi Arabia last launched military action in Yemen in 2009, conducting airstrikes against the Houthis near the Saudi border after it said its border guards had been fired upon. | Saudi Arabia last launched military action in Yemen in 2009, conducting airstrikes against the Houthis near the Saudi border after it said its border guards had been fired upon. |
| Hadi’s government had appealed for military intervention from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which is anchored by the Saudis and includes Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. In an emergency meeting last weekend, Yemen also called on the United Nations to authorize foreign armed forces to enter its territory. | Hadi’s government had appealed for military intervention from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which is anchored by the Saudis and includes Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. In an emergency meeting last weekend, Yemen also called on the United Nations to authorize foreign armed forces to enter its territory. |
| Jubeir said that Saudi Arabia and its partners had made every effort to prevent violence but that those attempts had been thwarted by the Houthis. They are now “in control of ballistic missiles and heavy weapons,” in addition to Yemeni aircraft, he said. | Jubeir said that Saudi Arabia and its partners had made every effort to prevent violence but that those attempts had been thwarted by the Houthis. They are now “in control of ballistic missiles and heavy weapons,” in addition to Yemeni aircraft, he said. |
| The unraveling of Hadi’s power over the past months has dealt a significant blow to U.S.-led efforts to wage drone attacks and other pinpoint strikes against suspected strongholds of the Yemen-based branch of al-Qaeda, which is considered among the terrorist group’s most active networks. Meanwhile, the Houthi rebels have claimed increasing territory. | The unraveling of Hadi’s power over the past months has dealt a significant blow to U.S.-led efforts to wage drone attacks and other pinpoint strikes against suspected strongholds of the Yemen-based branch of al-Qaeda, which is considered among the terrorist group’s most active networks. Meanwhile, the Houthi rebels have claimed increasing territory. |
| Murphy reported from Washington. Heba Habib in Cairo, Daniela Deane in London and Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report. | Murphy reported from Washington. Heba Habib in Cairo, Daniela Deane in London and Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report. |