Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir stressed that the coalition's operations in Yemen are determined to restore stability and legitimacy to Yemen, pointing out that the Houthi movement with the support of Iran and Hezbollah has pushed matters in Yemen to this point. During his participation in a symposium held yesterday at the headquarters of the US Congress entitled 'Chaos in Yemen, analysis, diagnosis and prospects' organized by US-Arab Relations Council, the Saudi Ambassador said, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has sought for years to strengthen the role of the government and stability in Yemen.' He added, 'We did not want to do this, but we had no other choice but to respond to the request of Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi; our goal in the end is to protect the legitimacy in Yemen which was about to be seized by a group supported by Iran and Hezbollah.' He pointed out that it has not happened in history that a militia has been able to possess heavy weapons, ballistic missiles and aircraft, saying, 'So the coalition's operation is continuing and targeting the bases of heavy weapons', stressing that the Houthi group has targeted a camp for displaced people and a milk factory. Ambassador Al-Jubeir said that deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh has played a negative role in Yemen with his alliance with Al-Houthi, indicating that the Houthi group would not be able to advance and take over the cities without the support of Ali Abdullah Saleh, Iran and Hezbollah. He said, 'There is in Lebanon, Hezbollah militia which controls the state; and we do not want such a matter to happen in Yemen through the Houthis, what has been done by the Houthis in Yemen is terrorism; as they have intimidated Yemenis and seized power, and the ideology of Al-Houthi is clear and will not have a positive impact on Yemen '. Ambassador Al-Jubeir added, 'Iran and Hezbollah are pushing to show that the conflict is sectarian, as a Sunni-Shiite conflict, and we do not look at this claim, it is a struggle between good and evil, and not between Sunnis and Shiites.' The Saudi Ambassador to the United States stressed that the coalition's operations are continuing in order to achieve their objectives, stressing the determination of the coalition to restore stability and legitimacy to Yemen. He pointed out that the Kingdom is one of the biggest supporters of Yemen both on the economic side and on the side of the infrastructure by building roads and hospitals and providing scholarships for the people of Yemen, stressing the Kingdom's commitment to this matter in the future. Ambassador Al-Jubeir drew attention to the fact that the government of the Kingdom has full popular support for all procedures and steps taken to ensure the return of stability to Yemen and that this support is also present in the Gulf and Arab countries. He denied the presence of Saudi troops in Aden, explaining that sending ground forces remains a possible option. He said, 'We have hope in the future prosperity of Yemen, and the Gulf States believe in this matter. We are committed to helping Yemen to overcome the difficulties. The Kingdom is keen on having a stable government in Yemen and keen on the unity and territorial integrity and the return of the legitimate government.' The Chairman of the American-Arab relations, Dr. John Duke Anthony, and a number of researchers and specialists in the Middle East affairs participated in the symposium.
