Despite airstrikes failing to thwart Houti rebels in any major way, Saudi Arabia declares operation

[EmperorScorpious]

[quote]The Saudi-led coalition bombing Yemen says operation 'Decisive Storm' will end at midnight and[B] a new campaign aimed at preventing Houthi fighters from operating will begin.[/B]

Saudi State TV said on Tuesday that the coalition had achieved its military goals in Yemen and a new operation, called 'Restoration of Hope' would aim to protect civilians and combat "terrorism."

[B]Brigadier-General Ahmed al-Assiri, the Saudi-led coalition's spokesperson, declared 'Decisive Storm' a "success" and said it would cease at midnight[/B], paving the way for the resumption of a political process.

"The coalition has completed the 'Decisive Storm' campaign at the request of the Yemeni government and the President of Yemen.[B] The primary goals of the campaign have been achieved and sovereignty has been protected," he said.
[/B]
"We are able to confirm that the Houthis are no longer a threat to Yemenis or neighbouring countries. The Yemeni government will now undertake all necessary actions to start rebuilding the country."

The Saudi Ministry of Defence had earlier said that all heavy weapons and ballistic missiles belonging to the Houthis had been destroyed, that they had imposed restrictions over Yemen’s airspace, and that any possible threats on the kingdom and neighbouring countries had been removed.

However, Assiri [B]did not rule out future airstrikes[/B] against the Houthis and said the coalition would continue to impose a naval blockade on Yemen.

Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall, reporting from Jizan on the Saudi-Yemen border, said their had been signs that a change in policy was on the horizon.

"Iranian officials were optimistic of a ceasefire earlier in the day, US naval ships had arrived in the region and there was greater contact and diplomacy between the US and the Saudi monarchy."

[B]"Most likely Iran, Saudi Arabia and others have come to some kind of agreement on the conflict," our correspondent added.[/B]

The announcement came hours after Riyadh said it was preparing to send its elite National Guard to reinforce its border with Yemen.

The National Guard is regarded as the country's best equipped military force, and until now has not been involved in the campaign.

Led by Miteb, the son of the late King Abdullah, the unit is recruited from tribes that have traditionally backed the Saudi royal family.[/quote]

[url]http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/saudi-led-coalition-begins-phase-yemen-campaign-150421155500641.html[/url]

[joes33431]

i sure as heck hope iran and saudi arabia came to an agreement

the last thing we need is a mini cold-war in the powder keg of the modern world