A coalition led by Saudi Arabia initiated air strikes early Thursday morning against the Iranian-backed Hothi rebel movement which is on the brink of taking control of most of Yemen, opening a new front in the conflict and widening the regional proxy war between Sunni and Shi’ite Moslem factions. Reports indicate that the US is giving logistical and intelligence support to the Saudi-led offensive but so far no US aircraft are directly involved in the hostilities. The strikes came hours after U.S.- and Saudi-backed Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi abandoned his country Wednesday, boarding a boat in the southern port of Aden and departing for an undisclosed destination ahead of a Houthi rout of what remained of forces loyal to his nascent government. Saudi Arabia has reportedly massed over 150,000 troops in staging positions near the Yemeni border in apparent preparations to drive the Houthi forces out of Sana and the other major cities. Read More
