Rubio reaffirms U.S. security pact with Saudi Arabia

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States intends to honor its defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia as Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, counter Houthi advances. He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend itself but did not specify what assistance the agreement requires or whether the United States would provide air support. Rubio made the remarks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Monday, October 5, before departing for Europe. Asked about the fighting and possible U.S. coordination, he said Saudi Arabia had come under Houthi attack and that Yemeni forces would seek to retake territory they had lost. He described the counteroffensive as a response to Houthi gains near a strategic waterway. Rubio declined to discuss the agreement’s details and did not directly answer whether Washington was providing or considering air support. The reports do not establish whether the United States will take part in airstrikes or other combat operations. The scope of the security commitment, and what operational support it entails in the current fighting, remains unclear.