US Condemns Houthi Attack in Saudi Arabia

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives an update about the ongoing talks with Russia at a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP)
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives an update about the ongoing talks with Russia at a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP)
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US Condemns Houthi Attack in Saudi Arabia

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives an update about the ongoing talks with Russia at a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP)
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives an update about the ongoing talks with Russia at a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP)

US National security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that the United States condemns the attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

"The Houthis launch these terrorist attacks with enabling by Iran, which supplies them with missile and UAV components, training, and expertise. This is done in violation of UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the import of weapons into Yemen," he said in a statement.

"Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Government have endorsed multiple UN calls for ceasefires and de-escalation over the last year. The Houthis have rejected these calls, responding instead with new offensives in Yemen and terrorist acts, such as those launched against Saudi Arabia last night," he continued.

"It is time to bring this war to a close, but that can only happen if the Houthis agree to cooperate with the United Nations and its envoy working on a step-by-step a process to de-escalate the conflict," he remarked.

"The United States stands fully behind those efforts, and we will continue to fully support our partners in the defense of their territory from Houthi attacks. We call on the international community to do the same," he declared.

The Houthis fired missiles and drones at Saudi energy and water desalination facilities, causing a temporary drop in output at a refinery but no casualties, the Saudi Energy Ministry and state media said on Sunday.

Later on Sunday, another Aramco distribution plant was attacked in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, leading to a fire in one of the tanks, according to the Saudi-led Arab coalition. The fire was controlled and did not result in any casualties, it said.



Saudi Defense Minister Meets with French Ambassador

Prince Khalid bin Salman met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Defense
Prince Khalid bin Salman met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Defense
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Saudi Defense Minister Meets with French Ambassador

Prince Khalid bin Salman met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Defense
Prince Khalid bin Salman met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Defense

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Monday with French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille.

During the meeting in Riyadh, they reviewed relations between the two friendly countries and several issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari, and Office of the Minister of Defense Director General Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.