Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, discussed with the Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Army, Lieutenant General Sagheer bin Aziz, intensifying efforts to combat the maritime attacks of the Iranian-backed Houthis.
CENTCOM stated in a brief statement that General Kurilla conducted a visit from November 16-22, during which he met with Lieutenant General bin Aziz and political and military officials in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, respectively.
According to the statement, Kurilla discussed the situation in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden, amid the continued attacks by the Houthi militia on shipping vessels and threats to international navigation.
The meetings explored views on the Iranian-backed Houthis and increasing efforts to combat Houthi attacks on military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
According to the statement, from November 16 to 18, General Kurilla hosted a US Central Command commanders’ conference at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Commanders from US Central Command components and subordinate commands, joint agencies, and the Joint Staff discussed the current security situation in the US Central Command area of responsibility, opportunities to enhance security cooperation, and efforts to counter violent extremist organizations such as ISIS and the Iranian-backed Houthis.
The statement mentioned that from November 20 to 21, General Kurilla traveled to Saudi Arabia, where he met with General Fayyadh bin Hamed al-Ruwaili, Chief of Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces, and his senior staff.
The commanders discussed regional security challenges and opportunities to reduce tensions and reset the region.
While in Saudi Arabia, General Kurilla also met with Lieutenant General Sagheer Hamoud Ahmed Aziz, Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces, who had traveled from Yemen for the visit.
The commanders also discussed views on the Iranian-backed Houthis and increasing efforts to combat Houthi attacks on military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
