Saudi King vows to continue military operation in Yemen

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt: The Saudi King King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz has vowed to continue the military operation against Shiite rebels in Yemen until it brings security to the Yemeni people.

In his address at the opening session of the 26th Arab League summit held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Saturday to discuss Yemen crises, the Saudi King claimed that the goal of the Saudi air raids is to bring security to the people in Yemen.

The Saudi King said that the military campaign “will continue until it achieves its goals for the Yemeni people to enjoy security.”

The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged the conference leaders to back creation of a joint Arab military force as the region face unprecedented security threats.

In his address, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Arab leaders to resolve the Yemen conflict peacefully. He also expressed anger over the failure of international community to end Syrian conflict.

On the occasion, the Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah said that Houthi militia in Yemen poses a threat on the region.

The two-day summit is being held just a few days after a Saudi-led regional coalition launched a military campaign “Operation Decisive Storm” against the Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels who have taken control of major cities in the West of Yemen.

The summit is being attended by several heads of states including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and many others.

It is also expected to focus on creating an Arab military force to fight against extremist militants.