(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Arab states taking part in a military coalition strikeforce against Houthi rebels in Yemen have said it is aimed at ensuring their national security as the West has shown support of the move led by Saudi Arabia.
This comes as Saudi fighter jets began striking Houthi strongholds and arms depots across Yemen.
The bombing targeted the joint air force command in Sanaa, Rima Hemayed military base in Senhan, Al-And air base north of Aden and the stronghold of Yemeni ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh - who is cooperating with the rebels. The Saudis have reportedly deployed up to 100 warplanes and have mobilized 150,000 army and navy personnel.
Alongside them are Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, with up to 30 jets, Kuwait with 15, Bahrain with another 15 and Qatar with 10.
Arab nations including Jordan, has dispatched six jets, while Egypt, Sudan and non-Arab nation Pakistan are all contributing through gunboat and aircraft.
Earlier at Arab foreign minister talks in Sharm El Sheikh intended to discuss the matter, Kuwait's First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah noted that "serious and escalating developments in Yemen compel everyone to move immediately and take necessary precautions in order to restore security and stability" in Yemen.
Blaming Houthi militants for using violence and undermining the state, he conceded that any moves should be taken in line with UN Security Council resolutions based on the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative on Yemen and the findings of the National Dialogue.
"While the State of Kuwait declares its full support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its self-defense right, it urges all parties involved to immediately comply with UNSC resolutions, the GCC Initiative and its executive mechanism and to stick to the outcomes of the national dialogue," he said.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also stressed the necessity of supporting Yemen's constitutional legitimacy and responding to the calls of its President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi by means of providing immediate Arab and international support to protect Yemen and its people.
Also to safeguard Yemen's sovereignty and independence in the face of threats, and anticipated Houthi aggression on Saudi Arabia.
"Such threats and aggressions pose a threat to Gulf and Arab national security in line with the GCC Joint Defense Agreement, the Arab League's Charter and the Arab Joint Defense Treaty," he said.
He mentioned article 51 of Chapter VII of the UN Charter which gives countries the right to defend themselves and to take all required measures in order to protect international peace and security.
The Kuwaiti minister also called on all Yemeni parties to respond to the call for a conference on Yemen, which Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud announced readiness to host under the umbrella of the GCC with a view to preventing Yemen from sliding into further chaos and destruction.
The UAE "acknowledges the strategic dimensions" of the matter and that "the security of Yemen is an integral part of the security of the Gulf," Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash told heads of mission in Abu Dhabi earlier on Thursday.
"This operation is aimed at causing the failure of the Houthi militants' coup on Yemeni legitimacy, for the internationally-agreed political path based on legitimacy, the GCC Initiative and national dialogue to resume, without pressure or force," he said.
Arab League member states Jordan, Morocco and Egypt have also pledged their allegiance to the operation as turkey considers providing "logistical support." Jordan's participation is consistent with legitimate support for Yemen's security and stability, said an unnamed official, who added that it also reflects the historic relations with Saudi Arabia and Gulf states.
Jordan supports the legitimacy of Yemen and the political process there, the official source said, referring to the internationally-backed GCC-brokered initiative.
Morocco also declared "full and absolute solidarity" with Saudi Arabia in maintaining Yemen's legitimate government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation stated that upon assessment "with great concern" of the state of affairs in Yemen, it has noticed "the use of force and violence by (Houthi) militants aimed at undermining Yemeni national dialogue gains and attacking legitimacy." The support also comes to "defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its steps to ward off any harm that may affect its territory, the Holy Grand Mosque, or threaten peace and security in the entire region," added the ministry.
The current situation in Yemen "poses large-scale hazards in the region," the ministry went on to say.
On the international scale, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country is considering the possibility of providing logistical support to the ongoing military operation in Yemen, known as "Decisive Storm", led by Saudi Arabia and a number of Arab countries against Houthi rebels.
The Turkish support of the Saudi-led operation against Houthi targets in Yemen is a response to the call made by Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Erdogan said in an interview with French network FRANCE 24.
Meanwhile, the US affirmed that the airstrikes are being taken to protect Saudi Arabia's border and Yemen's legitimate government.
A statement by the White House added that the US strongly condemned the actions of the Houthi rebels against the elected government of Yemen after the military coup in which they assumed control of the country.
"These actions have caused widespread instability and chaos that threaten the safety and well-being of all Yemeni citizens," added the statement.
"The United States has been in close contact with President Hadi and our regional partners. In response to the deteriorating security situation, Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, and others will undertake military action to defend Saudi Arabia's border and to protect Yemen's legitimate government.
"As announced by GCC members, they are taking this action at the request of Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi," the White House said.
Under President Barack Obama authorization the US would contribute through "logistical and intelligence support to GCC-led military operations," added the statement, adding "US forces are not taking direct military action in Yemen in support of this effort." "We strongly urge the Houthis to halt immediately their destabilizing military actions and return to negotiations as part of the political dialogue.
"The international community has spoken clearly through the UN Security Council and in other forums that the violent takeover of Yemen by an armed faction is unacceptable," it said.
The statement added that any political transition in Yemen can only be accomplished "through political negotiations and a consensus agreement among all of the parties." The EU also pledged support of the move against the Houthi militants, with High Representative Federica Mogherini branding as "unacceptable" the advance of Houthi forces loyal to ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh towards Aden, and the aerial targeting of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi's compound.
These "were unacceptable steps towards escalating an already polarized situation, and triggered today's Saudi-led airstrikes," she said.
"I'm convinced that military action is not a solution. Only a broad political consensus through negotiations can provide a sustainable solution, restore peace, and preserve the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen.
"Otherwise, the ability of extremist and terrorist groups to take advantage of the situation is likely to increase dramatically," stated the EU foreign policy chief.
She noted that the Yemeni civilian population, already affected by dire living conditions, are the first victims of the current military escalation.
"At this critical juncture all regional actors should act responsibly and constructively, to create as a matter of urgency the conditions for a return to negotiations. The EU reiterates its support to all efforts currently undertaken to this effect, in particular those of the UN and of regional actors," added the statement.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon viewed otherwise, explaining that despite escalation, negotiations remain the only option for ultimately resolving the Yemeni crisis.
In a statement, he called upon all parties and UN member states to "refrain from taking any actions that undermine the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen." The Security Council also called on all member states to "refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability and instead to support the political transition," said the statement.
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