Escalation of the Yemen Crisis; Mansour Hadi Leaves Aden for Riyadh

As the Yemen crisis intensifies with airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and Arab countries against the positions of the Shiite Houthi militia, reports indicate that Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the President of Yemen, left the city of Aden in the south of the country on Thursday, March 26, and arrived in Riyadh. The Saudi government-affiliated news network "Al Arabiya" reported that Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi left Aden under Saudi protection. He is expected to participate in the Arab League summit scheduled for Saturday. A Dubai television network also reported that Mr. Mansour Hadi will attend the Arab League meeting in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Mohammed Maram, the head of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi's office, stated that he will attend the Sharm El Sheikh summit. Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi fled from Sanaa to Aden last month. In the meantime, Al Jazeera reported that forces loyal to Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi have managed to retake the city of Al-Hawta and the Al-Anad base, located 60 kilometers north of Aden, from the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi forces. The Yemen crisis has entered a new phase with airstrikes by Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia against Houthi positions on Thursday, April 6. According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia's military intervention in Yemen is a significant development in the current crisis of the country aimed at countering Iran, while the United States has refrained from direct military involvement in this issue. While Saudi and Gulf media have reported that several Houthi leaders have been killed in these attacks, Iranian media claim that civilians, women, and children have been killed. According to Reuters, eyewitnesses have stated that Saudi and Arab aircraft have bombed areas of Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, including the main airport near the government military base. The goal of these attacks is likely to eliminate the air capabilities of the Shiite Houthi forces and their allies. Iran condemned the Saudi airstrikes and called for their cessation. Recent advances by Iranian-backed Houthi militia have prompted reactions in the region and the international community. Egypt has announced its readiness to send troops to Yemen to assist in operations against the Houthi forces. Bernadette Meehan, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, also stated that the United States is "coordinating" with Saudi Arabia and regional powers in their military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen and is providing intelligence and logistical support to protect its allies and interests. Erdogan: Iran and terrorists must leave Yemen. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for the withdrawal of Iran and "terrorists" from Yemen. Mr. Erdogan stated in an interview with France 24 that Turkey may consider providing logistical support to Saudi Arabia and Arab countries based on the developments. According to this report, the Turkish President said: "Iran and terrorist groups must leave (Yemen)." International media refer to the current Yemen crisis as a proxy war between Sunni Arab powers led by Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran is accused of supporting the Shiite Houthi rebels who seized control of Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, last September and have recently advanced towards Aden. The Houthi rebels recently took control of the city of Taiz, Yemen's second-largest city.