US reaffirms Saudi ‘defence partnership’ amid Houthi attacks

Pentagon chief condemns Houthi attacks and expresses commitment to security ties in call with Saudi crown prince.

The United States has reaffirmed its “strategic defence partnership” with Riyadh in the face of renewed attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia during a call between US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). MBS, who is also Saudi defence minister, reviewed bilateral relations with Austin, especially in defence cooperation, Saudi state news agency SPA said. A Pentagon statement said the US and Saudi counterparts spoke “to reaffirm the strategic defence partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.