Saudi Arabia says it requested an end to US refuelling operations in Yemen because it can now handle it by itself.
Publish dateSaturday 10 November 2018 - 15:49
Story Code : 173784
The Saudi-UAE-led coalition said it has "requested a cessation of inflight refuelling support" by the United States, bringing a key element of Washington's involvement in the Yemen conflict to a halt.
In statements carried out by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Saturday, Saudi Arabia said the decision to end aerial support for the coalition was made in consultation with the United States.
"Recently, the kingdom and the coalition has increased its capacity to independently conduct inflight refueling in Yemen," the SPA said.
"As a result, in consultation with the United States, the coalition has requested cessation of inflight refuelling support for its operations in Yemen."
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis expressed his country's support for the Saudi decision and suggested a continuing role for the US in Yemen with regard to helping coalition forces minimise civilian casualties and expanding humanitarian efforts.
"The US and the coalition are planning to collaborate on building up legitimate Yemeni forces to defend the Yemeni people, secure the country's borders, and contribute to counter al-Qaeda and ISIS (also known as ISIL) efforts in Yemen and the region," Mattis said.
In August, Mattis warned that US support for the coalition was "not unconditional," urging it to do "everything humanly possible to avoid any innocent loss of life."
The implication of the decision is not clear as of yet but the Associated Press news agency reported that US officials said earlier that Saudi forces now handled about 80 percent of refuelling operations, a critical function that allows aircraft to fly longer sorties.
In statements carried out by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Saturday, Saudi Arabia said the decision to end aerial support for the coalition was made in consultation with the United States.
"Recently, the kingdom and the coalition has increased its capacity to independently conduct inflight refueling in Yemen," the SPA said.
"As a result, in consultation with the United States, the coalition has requested cessation of inflight refuelling support for its operations in Yemen."
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis expressed his country's support for the Saudi decision and suggested a continuing role for the US in Yemen with regard to helping coalition forces minimise civilian casualties and expanding humanitarian efforts.
"The US and the coalition are planning to collaborate on building up legitimate Yemeni forces to defend the Yemeni people, secure the country's borders, and contribute to counter al-Qaeda and ISIS (also known as ISIL) efforts in Yemen and the region," Mattis said.
In August, Mattis warned that US support for the coalition was "not unconditional," urging it to do "everything humanly possible to avoid any innocent loss of life."
The implication of the decision is not clear as of yet but the Associated Press news agency reported that US officials said earlier that Saudi forces now handled about 80 percent of refuelling operations, a critical function that allows aircraft to fly longer sorties.
Source : Afghan Voice Agency(AVA)
avapress.com/vdcjotevxuqeaaz.92fu.html
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