S Arabia engaged in military buildup near border with Yemeni

Saudi Arabia has moved heavy military equipment to areas near its border with Yemen, US officials say. 

US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has engaged in deploying military equipment, including artillery, to the troubled region.

Latest media reports say Washington has acquired intelligence about the Saudi buildup. One US government source has described the size of the Saudi buildup on Yemen's border as “significant.”

The developments come as Saudi Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has reportedly been ordered to erect a military base immediately along the border.

The source says the Saudis could be preparing air raids to defend resigned former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi if Ansarullah fighters known as Houthis attack his refuge in the southern seaport of Aden.

Meanwhile, Hadi has asked the UN Security Council (UNSC) to authorize military intervention in the strife-torn country to help him in the fight against the Houthi revolutionaries. He has also sought military help from the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) and the Arab League.

on February 21, Hadi fled to Aden and withdrew his resignation triggering a political turmoil in the Arab country. He is now trying to seize back power with the help of the West and neighboring Saudi Arabia.

The move comes as Yemen's  Houthi fighters have been fighting al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups in the crisis-hit country.

On March 12, Yemen’s Houthi movement staged a military drill in the city of Kitaf in the province of Sa’ada, along the border with Saudi Arabia. 

According to reports, thousands of members of the Houthi movement participated in the drill, in which artillery, rockets, and other weapons were used.

A Houthi media official said the drill was not meant to “pose a threat to anyone.” 

The military drill came as Saudi Arabia approved Hadi’s proposed plan to hold the country’s national dialogue in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, instead of the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, which is currently under the control of the Houthis.

The Houthi movement strongly condemned the Saudi measure, unequivocally refusing to participate in the talks.

on March 22, fighters of  Ansarullah movement captured the southwestern city of Ta'izz, a strategic city between the capital, Sana’a, and Aden. 

The Houthi fighters and their allies seized the city's airport and several state facilities after defeating forces loyal to Hadi.

The Ansarullah fighters took control of the capital in September 2014 and are currently trying to advance toward Aden.

JR/NN/HRB

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