NYN | News
A statement issued by the U.S. Department of Defense on Tuesday revealed details of a new phone call between the Saudi Minister of Defense and his American counterpart. The two ministers exchanged views on the latest regional developments, with a focus on what the statement described as “undermining the capabilities of the Houthis (Ansar Allah),” referring to the ongoing aggression in Yemen.
The Saudi Defense Minister confirmed in a post on his official social media account that the conversation addressed strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries.
This call follows weeks after the Saudi minister’s visit to Washington, accompanied by the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, which took place just days before the latest U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.
The call coincided with media reports, most notably a CNN report citing U.S. officials discussing regional arrangements to support a military escalation by coalition-aligned factions in Yemen, with references to a Saudi role in the process.
It remains unclear whether the call was made in protest of the leaks or to discuss their implications, particularly amid Yemeni statements warning of retaliation against any foreign intervention.
The U.S. administration has been facing a series of recurring leaks since the start of military operations in Yemen, including the earlier scandal known as the “Senegal Leak,” involving the exposure of high-level conversations about airstrikes—an issue that continues to stir controversy.
