Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, and his accompanying high-ranking military delegation in Jeddah on Monday. According to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the meeting reviewed the robust strategic bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. Additionally, views were exchanged regarding critical security and political developments in the Middle East, and efforts were coordinated to address escalating regional threats.
Exceptional field conditions and rapid escalation
This high-profile military meeting takes place at a highly sensitive juncture regarding both regional dynamics and developments on the ground. It follows reports—circulating just days prior—of intensive contacts between Riyadh and Washington, during which Saudi Arabia called for direct military intervention against the Houthi group. Concurrently, the region witnessed dramatic developments on the ground, marked by the Houthis seizing control of the strategic city of Mocha and Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Admiral Cooper had arrived in the Kingdom earlier to attend joint military and coordination meetings; the visit also coincided with the collapse of the western front in Yemen.
Reciprocal Houthi attacks and government counter-moves
Amidst a field escalation coinciding with the visit of a senior US military commander, the Houthi group announced on Monday morning the execution of a large-scale attack targeting critical infrastructure and sensitive military facilities deep within Saudi territory. The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, stated via his official Telegram channel that the operation involved dozens of ballistic missiles and drones. The attack specifically targeted fighter jet hangars, radar systems, and ammunition depots at the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait. Meanwhile, the Yemeni Armed Forces—loyal to the internationally recognized government—announced they had successfully repelled Houthi infiltration attempts west of Taiz, reporting territorial gains and the recapture of key strategic positions amidst fierce fighting.
