Saudi Arabia: Gulf states to take action if peace talks fail in Yemen

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said that the Gulf states will take necessary measures to protect the region against “aggression” by Yemen’s Houthi group if peace talks fail, Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Riyadh with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Al-Faisal repeated an invitation to all Yemen’s rival factions, including the Houthis, to attend peace talks in the kingdom.

Asked if Riyadh might offer military aid to Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who it recognises as Yemen’s legitimate ruler, Prince Saud said: “Certainly, countries in the region and the Arab world will take the necessary measures to protect the region from aggression.”

Asked about Tehran’s role in supporting the Houthis in Yemen, he said he was “against Iran’s interference”, adding that Iran is trying to “stir up sectarian conflict” in Arab states.

Earlier, in Cairo, Riyadh Yaseen, named by Hadi as his interim foreign minister, called for Gulf Arab military intervention in Yemen, notably the imposition of a no-fly zone to stop territorial advances by Houthi rebels.

Meanwhile, Hammond said: “The international community will not stand by while Houthi forces and other actors continue to undermine stability in Yemen and seek to fragment that country and undermine its legitimate president.” He added: “None of us wants to see military action.”

Hammond also said that the Assad regime in Syria would never have any role in a future solution in the country.

The Houthis seized control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, last September. Mr Hadi has set up a power base in the port city of Aden.