Yemen war was forced on us: Saudi Arabia

Riyadh : Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Adel Al Jubeir has that the conflict in Yemen was not a war of the Kingdom’s choice.

Al Jubeir – whose country leads an Arab coalition fighting Iran-backed militia in Yemen on behalf of the internationally recognised government – said during a press conference with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, in London that the war “was imposed on us”. 

He added that the Houthi rebels have since the war broke out in 2014 stolen more than $4 billion (Dh14.7bn) from Yemeni banks.

“They are working on smuggling and controlling telecommunications companies in order to finance their war,” he said, referring to the Houthis who have repeatedly launched ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia, which has intercepted them.Al Jubeir and Johnson held a meeting on Wednesday on the heels of an official visit by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the UK.  The two men discussed co-operation between their two countries and ways to end the war in Yemen.

“Our talks have focused on how the UK can use its world-beating expertise to support Saudi Arabia’s reforms and how we can work together to end the tragic conflict in Yemen,” said Johnson.

“It is vital that we bring this appalling conflict, which has inflicted so much suffering, to an end.