Saudi Arabia Ends Yemeni Operation

Saudi Arabia’s “Decisive Storm” campaign ended Tuesday. A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen announced its completion. The spokesman said the coalition intends to launch a new phase aimed at preventing rebel operations.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri spoke at a news conference in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. He said the objectives of the campaign had been met. Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani countered Asiri on Wednesday claiming that Saudi Arabia did not achieve its goals in Yemen.

The United States-backed airstrike campaign by Saudi Arabia began on March 26. The campaign was supposed to crush the Houthis and restore Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi back to power. Hadi was ousted by the Houthis last month.

Tuesday’s announcement was a surprise since Hadi has not been restored. Houthis still control Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.

Asiri did not rule out future airstrikes against the rebels. The new phase is called “Renewal of Hope.” It will focus on rebuilding the country and protecting civilians while denying Houthis operational movement.

The surprise announcement could indicate urging by the U.S. for the Saudis to wind up the airstrikes. The U.S. announced Monday that aircraft carrier uss Theodore Roosevelt will head toward Yemen. The Roosevelt will ensure safe transit of goods through the Gulf of Aden, while beefing up security to prevent weapons shipments from Iran to Houthis.

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that 944 people have been killed and 3,500 wounded in Yemen since the start of airstrikes. The fighting has turned into a proxy war between the Houthis, backed by Shiite power Iran, and Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia. The Trumpet expects the proxy war to continue as Iran keeps up its aggressive bid to dominate the Middle East and to control the strategic Gulf of Aden.