Saudi Arabia pounds Yemen Al Houthi camps

Sana’a: Saudi-led coalition warplanes bombed rebel camps in Yemen for a second day on Friday, as President Barack Obama said the United States shared a “collective goal” with its regional ally to see stability in the war-torn state.

The White House said Obama had offered US support to King Salman during a call with the Saudi ruler, saying the United States shared a “collective goal” with the kingdom to see stability in Yemen.

“The president reaffirmed the strong friendship between the United States and Saudi Arabia and emphasised the United States’ support for the action taken by Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council members, and others in response to President Hadi’s request and in support of the legitimate government of Yemen,” said National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan.

King Salman, meanwhile, thanked the US for rescuing two Saudi pilots who ejected off Yemen’s coast in international waters.

Saudi authorities confirmed the rescue over the Red Sea on Thursday night, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

“An F-15S plane suffered a technical problem last night (Thursday) while over the Red Sea, forcing the ejection of its two pilots,” SPA quoted an official at the Ministry of Saudi Arabia Defence, as saying.

“The two pilots were rescued in cooperation with the US side,” he continued. Washington has pledged logistical and intelligence support for the Saudi-led campaign.

A months-long rebellion by Al Houthi fighters in Yemen has escalated into a regional conflict that threatens to tear apart the impoverished state at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

Saudi Arabia has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to prevent the fall of embattled President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, accusing Iran of “aggression” and of backing Al Houthi rebels’ power grab.

Amid the air raids and scattered fighting, a call for a ceasefire was issued by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, suspected of being allied with the rebels.

At least 39 civilians have been killed in Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm against Al Houthis and their allies, officials at the rebel-controlled health ministry in Sana’a said.

Twelve died when residential areas were hit in a raid on a military base north of the capital, the officials told AFP.

Strikes hit the rebel-held presidential compound in south Sana’a, as well as various military sites outside the capital including rocket launchers at the airport, witnesses said.

Warplanes also bombed a Al Houthi-controlled army brigade in Amran province north of Sana’a, and arms depots in the northern rebel stronghold of Sa’ada, residents said.

And an army unit loyal to Saleh, along with Shiite militiamen, captured two villages in Abyan province, near the main southern city of Aden, where Hadi took refuge after fleeing Sana’a last month, military sources said.

The rebels have also clashed with Sunni tribes as they push south.

At least 21 were killed Friday when tribesmen ambushed their vehicles north of Aden, a local official said.