Saudi Arabia: We Will Use Ground Operations Against Houthis If Necessary

A military spokesman for Saudi Arabia stated on Tuesday, April 11, that ground forces will only be used against Houthi militants in Yemen if there is a 'need' and necessity. According to Reuters, Ahmad Asiri, the military spokesman, said that limited ground operations could be conducted within specific time and geographic boundaries. However, it is not expected that a ground operation will take place. This military commander also mentioned that the coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia do not wish to focus on ground operations as they can achieve their objectives through other means. The airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and other regional countries against the positions of the Shiite Houthi militants have entered their sixth day, yet these attacks have not succeeded in driving the militants out of the areas they have seized. Meanwhile, Riyad Yasin, the Yemeni foreign minister who has fled to Saudi Arabia, called on Tuesday for ground operations by the Arab countries' forces in Yemen. In recent days, Houthi positions near the southern border of Saudi Arabia have been targeted by airstrikes from the coalition forces. Iran, which is considered a supporter of the Houthi militants, condemned the Saudi-led airstrikes. Meanwhile, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic can cooperate to resolve the Yemen crisis. Mr. Abdollahian, who is currently in Kuwait, emphasized that Iran seeks a return to calm and dialogue between the parties and described Saudi Arabia's military operations in Yemen as a 'strategic mistake.' He mentioned that Iran has a proposal for resolving the crisis and is seeking to establish communication with Saudi Arabia. The Shiite Houthi militants in Yemen are allied with Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former president of the country. Ali Abdullah Saleh was overthrown following the so-called Arab Spring uprisings in Arab countries in 2011, but he has managed to maintain his influence in the country through his loyalists within the military and security forces.