Saudi Crown Prince meets US Central Command chief amid regional tensions

JEDDAH, Sept 14: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper and his accompanying delegation in Jeddah on Monday, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

The meeting focused on Saudi-US relations and the latest regional developments, according to SPA. Saudi Minister of State, Cabinet member and National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban also attended.

The meeting comes amid renewed fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Iran-backed Houthi group, along with attacks targeting Saudi energy infrastructure. Last week, Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down its East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after drone strikes launched from Iraqi territory targeted areas in Riyadh and Madinah.

Yemen has been embroiled in war since the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and other areas in September 2014. A Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

US news outlet Axios reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had sought military assistance from US President Donald Trump as the Houthis made advances in recent fighting.