Riyadh, Sep 12 (V7N)- The top US military commander overseeing American forces in the Middle East has arrived in Saudi Arabia to discuss possible responses to the rapid advance of Yemen’s Houthi rebels and their growing control over key areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported the development on Friday (September 11).

US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, according to the report. His visit comes as Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces face setbacks following a series of rapid Houthi offensives.

Citing two sources familiar with the matter, Al Jazeera reported that Cooper is expected to meet Saudi officials to discuss reorganizing the military positions of forces supporting the Yemeni government and developing strategies to counter the Houthi advance.

The Houthis captured the key Red Sea port city of Mocha on Thursday (September 10), followed by Dhubab and Perim Island at the entrance to the Red Sea on Friday. The developments have increased the Iran-backed group's ability to influence traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important maritime routes.

The Bab el-Mandeb is strategically important for the movement of oil and gas from the Middle East. Its importance has increased further amid disruptions and threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

In July, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could intervene if the Houthis continued attacking vessels traveling to or from Saudi Arabia.

“If something like that happens, we will take action,” Trump said from the Oval Office on July 21.

Trump had previously authorized US naval and air strikes against the Houthis in March 2015. A ceasefire was announced 52 days later following Omani mediation. However, since the United States became involved in a major confrontation with Iran in late February this year, Trump has not authorized direct US military intervention in Yemen, according to the report.

A US administration official said Washington remains focused on protecting its core national security interests, including freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while strengthening its ability to work with regional allies on security challenges.

The official added that the United States is maintaining regular discussions with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government over regional stability.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that at least 160 US military personnel operating under CENTCOM have been working in Saudi Arabia in recent weeks to gather intelligence and coordinate operations. Two sources familiar with the matter reportedly confirmed the deployment.

One source claimed that coordination was intensified after indications that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was increasing support for the Houthis and encouraging further attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Separately, satellite imagery from Thursday night reportedly showed signs of fire and smoke at several locations along Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline. The pipeline provides an alternative route for Saudi oil exports and reduces the kingdom’s dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis previously attacked the same pipeline in 2019, temporarily disrupting oil flows.

Neither the Saudi government nor state-owned oil giant Aramco has commented on the latest reported incident.

END/SMA/AJ