Saudi Arabia Sends Conflicting Messages On Their Military Buildup Near The Yemen Border (Update)

Reuters: Saudi military buildup at border with Yemen is defensive: two Saudi sources

(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's military buildup near its southern border with Yemen is purely defensive, two Saudi sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

"We are protecting our borders only," said one of the sources when asked if the kingdom planed to intervene in Yemen.

"Tanks have been moved to the border but this is only to defend the country," said the second Saudi source.

WNU Editor: It appears that Saudi Arabia's threat to enter the Yemen civil war is all bluff.

More News On Saudi Arabia Building Up Its Military Forces On The Yemen Border

Exclusive: Saudi Arabia building up military near Yemen border - U.S. officials -- Reuters
Saudi Arabia moves military equipment to border with Yemen -- The Guardian
Saudi Arabia moves heavy arms to border with chaos-stricken Yemen -- RT
Saudi Arabia moves heavy armour to Yemen border as proxy war heats up -- IBTimes
Saudi Ally Retreats in Yemen as Rebels Advance on Stronghold -- Bloomberg
Why the Gulf States Won’t Save Yemen -- Bobby Ghosh, Defense One/Quartz

U.S. Officials: Saudi Arabia Building Up Military Forces Near Yemen Border

Reuters: Exclusive: Saudi Arabia building up military near Yemen border - U.S. officials

(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is moving heavy military equipment including artillery to areas near its border with Yemen, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, raising the risk that the Middle East’s top oil power will be drawn into the worsening Yemeni conflict.

The buildup follows a southward advance by Iranian-backed Houthi Shi'ite militants who took control of the capital Sanaa in September and seized the central city of Taiz at the weekend as they move closer to the new southern base of U.S.-supported President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The slide toward war in Yemen has made the country a crucial front in Saudi Arabia's region-wide rivalry with Iran, which Riyadh accuses of sowing sectarian strife through its support for the Houthis.

WNU Editor: The peace talks are suppose to begin soon .... UN-led talks on Yemen to begin in Doha as Saudi Arabia backs Hadi (Middle East Eye) ..... and Saudi Arabia has made it very clear that they would intervene if these talks fail .... Saudi Arabia Warns That They May Intervene In Yemen If Peace Talks Fail. Unfortunately, it appears that the Houthis did not receive the "memo" .... Yemen’s Houthis Extend Advance in South After Saudi Warning (Bloomberg).

Saudi Arabia Warns That They May Intervene In Yemen If Peace Talks Fail

BBC: Saudi Arabia warns of 'necessary measures' over Yemen

Gulf Arab states will take "necessary measures" against Yemen's Houthi rebels if a peaceful solution cannot be found to the country's instability, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has said.

Saud al-Faisal also condemned Iranian "interference" in Yemen.

The UN has warned that Yemen is on the edge of civil war, as the Shia Houthis attempt to tighten their control.

The group has been pushing further south from its northern stronghold, clashing with local armed elements.

This moves the Houthis closer to conflict with forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who is based in the southern port city of Aden.

WNU Editor: This conflict is about to heat up .... and fast

More News On Saudi Warnings That They May Intervene In Yemen If The Peace Talks Fail

S.Arabia: Arabs will take action over Yemen if peace efforts fail -- Reuters
Saudis Will Take ‘Necessary Measures’ in Yemen If Talks Fail -- Bloomberg
Saudi foreign minister says intervention possible in Yemen -- ANSA
Yemen minister calls for Gulf Arab military intervention -- Reuters
Yemen’s embattled government appeals for regional military aid -- Washington Post
Yemen asks neighboring countries for military intervention to stop Shi'ite power grab -- Haaretz/AP
Yemen Asks for Help As Rebels Head South -- VOA