WASHINGTON
President Barack Obama spoke with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and reaffirmed Washington's support to Saudi-led operations in Yemen, the White House said on Friday.
"The president underscored our commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security," said a White House statement.
Obama and King Salman agreed that their goal is to achieve lasting stability in Yemen through a negotiated political solution facilitated by the United Nations and other parties.
Saudi Arabia, along with other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, launched the offensive against the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthis, following a request by Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
Hadi has since fled to Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
Politically fractious Yemen has been rocked by turmoil since last September when pro-Houthi forces overran the capital of Sanaa, from which they have since sought to extend their influence to other parts of the country.
