US to continue defensive intelligence support to Saudi Arabia on Yemen
'We are not a party to Yemen's civil war,' CENTCOM commander says
The United States military will continue to provide certain support, including intelligence, to Saudi Arabia regarding Yemen for defensive purposes, the top commander of American forces in the Middle East said Monday.
The head of US Central Command, Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, made the clarification when pressed by Al-Monitor just days after the Biden administration announced an end to US assistance for the Saudi-led military coalition’s role in Yemen’s civil war.
“Over the last several weeks, a number of attacks have been launched out of Yemen against Saudi Arabia. We will help the Saudis defend against those attacks, like giving them intelligence when we can about those attacks,” McKenzie explained.
“What we will not do is help them strike, continue to conduct offensive operations into Yemen,” McKenzie said, adding that he discussed the matter with top Saudi officials during his latest trip to the region.
