US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Affirms Saudi Arabia's Right to Self-Defense Against Houthis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday that Saudi Arabia possesses the full right to defend itself against ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthis. Speaking ahead of a scheduled diplomatic trip to Iceland and mainland Europe, Mr Rubio emphasized that Washington remains committed to honoring its core defense and security agreements with the kingdom.

This diplomatic reassurance coincides with a major offensive launched by Saudi-backed Yemeni forces against Iran-aligned Houthi fighters. On Monday, Yemeni government forces successfully secured strategic control of the Bab Al Mandeb strait, the Dhubab area overlooking the crucial sea lane, and the strategic port city of Mokha, bolstered by aerial support and targeted airstrikes from the Saudi-led coalition.

“Obviously the Saudis have come under Houthi attack and see the threat that that poses, and they have a right to defend themselves,” Mr Rubio stated. “And obviously the Yemeni forces are going to try to retake territory that they were ousted from.” When questioned regarding potential US military involvement or coordination in the counteroffensive, Mr Rubio reiterated: “The United States has a defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia and we intend to live by it.”

These developments follow reports that President Donald Trump previously declined requests for direct US military action put forward by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Meanwhile, the Houthi military published drone footage documenting strikes targeting vehicles and government troops operating along the south coast near Al Bahiya within Lahij governorate, according to reporting by Reuters.

Mr Rubio also confirmed that high-ranking US officials recently convened for an unannounced strategic session at Camp David, located 100km outside of Washington. According to reporting by Axios, the situation in Yemen formed part of the agenda during discussions involving Mr Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and other key administration figures. “We’re constantly meeting for long-term strategic planning and things of this nature,” Mr Rubio explained, noting that the National Security Council frequently facilitates such evaluations for mid-term and long-term security forecasting.

The broader conflict in Yemen escalated significantly after the Houthis captured the capital city of Sanaa in 2014, triggering military intervention by the Saudi-led coalition the following year to reinstate the recognized government and challenge the rebel movement. Since then, the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, which holds formal UN recognition, has maintained administrative control over the southern and eastern regions of the country from its base in Aden. In recent times, the Iran-backed Houthis have expanded their operations by targeting Saudi Arabia as well as commercial and military vessel traffic traversing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.