Saudi FM Meets US Secretary Amid Escalating Yemen Conflict

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments amidst escalating tensions in Yemen.

The talks come as Houthi rebels have made significant gains, seizing the entire western coast of Yemen and gaining unprecedented access to the Bab Al Mandeb strait. This has disrupted oil production and shipping in the Red Sea, with Saudi Arabia facing attacks from the group.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had requested direct US military involvement in Yemen, but Washington declined, opting instead to provide intelligence and support. The Houthi rebels have told the US through mediators that they would not target American ships.