In a new acknowledgment, the American newspaper The New York Times revealed that the United States is directly supporting the Saudi military campaign in Yemen through more than 200 U.S. intelligence and military analysts working inside command centers in Saudi Arabia, helping analyze and select targets in support of Saudi-aligned forces.
The newspaper quoted a current U.S. official and a former official, both speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters, as saying that these analysts are providing support from command centers inside the Kingdom.
They added that the United States is also providing aerial refueling for Saudi aircraft conducting defensive air patrols.
The renewed fighting in recent weeks has already worsened Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.
The World Health Organization said that more than 800 people have been killed since early August, while the World Food Programme says that more than 150,000 people have been displaced.
A decade ago, the Saudi-led military campaign relied heavily on U.S. support and American weapons, and Saudi officials have once again sought American assistance this time.
Although Washington is providing some forms of support, President Donald Trump rejected Saudi requests last month for the U.S. military to carry out strikes against Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has also sent military advisers to Yemen to coordinate a ground offensive being carried out by government forces, according to the current and former U.S. officials.
U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, declined to comment.
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