U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper and his accompanying delegation were received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Monday.
The meeting addressed bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States, as well as recent developments in the region. Saudi Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban also attended the meeting.
Tensions in Yemen and energy facilities
The meeting took place as tensions between Yemen’s government forces and the Houthis were intensifying. The Houthis carried out attacks targeting energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.
The East-West pipeline was temporarily shut down last week as a precaution after drone attacks launched from Iraq targeted the Riyadh and Medina regions.
The beginning of the Yemen war
The conflict in Yemen began when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sana’a, and several provinces in September 2014. The Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in March 2015 to support the internationally recognized government.