Houthi Spox Says Saudi & UAE Not Targets, But Warns Of Co-op w/US

Speaking to Reuters, spox for the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Mohammed Abdulsalam, says that as long as regional powers Saudi Arabia and the UAE do not become actively involved in efforts to counter Houthi strikes on Red Sea shipping then they themselves will not become targets. Abdulsalam:"We do not want the conflict to expand in the region and we do not prefer that, and we are still working on non-escalation, but the decision is up to the Americans, as long as they continue to attack,"

• Abdulsalam: "We do not find justification for taking any action against [Saudi or UAE].... As long as Saudi Arabia and the UAE adhere to [non-involvement] they will be outside this conflict, as long as they don't participate or support the US in any attack."
• So far, both Saudi and the UAE have been notable by their absence in the US-led efforts to counter Houthi attacks on shipping. The only Gulf state involved in Operation Prosperity Guardian is Bahrain. This is in spite of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE having for years backed the Houthi's opponents, the internationally-recognised Presidential Leadership Council, in the Yemeni civil war.
• For both nations, though, the escalation comes at a time when domestically they cannot be seen to be siding with the United States in security matters. Given the White House's sustained backing for Israel following the 7 Oct attacks, siding with the US is seen as tantamount to siding with Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.