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Yemen Situation Update as of 8:50 a.m. ET
A map of limited usefulness, courtesy of the Arab News, can be seen here.
[AnNahar] Iran condemned the Saudi-led intervention against its coreligionists as "a dangerous step" that violated "international responsibilities and national sovereignty."

Huge explosions were heard in Sanaa as warplanes pounded an air base adjacent to the international airport and other locations, an AFP correspondent reported.

At least 14 civilians were killed when seven homes near the air base were reduced to rubble, a civil defense source said.

At daybreak hundreds of families streamed out of the capital seeking the relative safety of the provinces.

"I am leaving with my family -- Sanaa is no longer safe," said one resident, who gave his name only as Mohammed, as he piled his belongings into a minibus in the Bani Huwat neighborhood.

In the south, residents reported hearing explosions at the huge Al-Anad air base, north of Aden, which was seized by anti-government forces on Wednesday.

The Saudi ambassador to the United States said the operation had begun with air strikes but that the kingdom and its allies stood ready to do "whatever it takes" to protect Hadi's government.

Washington said President Barack Obama had authorized the "provision of logistical and intelligence support" for the campaign.
- U.S. providing support -
Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir said that the kingdom had assembled a coalition of more than 10 countries, including five Gulf monarchies, for the military operation to defend Hadi's government.

Washington said President Barack Obama had authorized the "provision of logistical and intelligence support" for the campaign.

Jubeir told reporters in Washington that the operation "is to defend and support the legitimate government of Yemen and prevent the radical Huthi movement from taking over the country".

He said that for the moment the action was confined to air strikes, but that other military assets were being mobilized and that the coalition "would do whatever it takes".

"The Royal Saudi Air Force has taken out the Huthi air defenses and destroyed numerous Huthi fighter planes," a Saudi adviser said, adding that air force "has pretty much secured most of the Yemeni air space and is now consolidating a wide no-fly zone."

The Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television said that the kingdom had deployed 10 fighter jets to the operation, while the United Arab Emirates had committed 30, Bahrain and Kuwait 15 each and Qatar 10.

It said Saudi Arabia had also mobilized 150,000 troops near the border.

All civilian fights were halted at seven Saudi airports in the border region.

The official Saudi Press Agency said Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan had "expressed desire to participate in the operation".

Egypt, Jordan and Sudan confirmed they were joining the campaign.

Pakistan said it had received a Saudi request to participate but that it was still being "examined".

Morocco voiced support but made no mention of any involvement by its military.

The Saudi adviser said his country's defense minister warned the son of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, "who is commanding the attack on Aden that his forces face 'obliteration' if they continue their push toward Aden."

Saleh, who resigned in 2012 following a year of nationwide protests, is accused of allying with the rebels, relying on the loyalty of many army units that he built during his three-decade rule.

On Wednesday, army units seized Aden's international airport after switching allegiance to the rebels.

But the airport was back in the hands of militia loyal to Hadi on Thursday after those troops pulled out.

Iran-backed rebels loot Yemen files about U.S. spy operations

Four Egypt Warships Enter Suez en Route to Gulf of Aden

The officials said the ships will take part in operations "to secure" the strategic waters that control southern access to the Suez Canal.

Sudan to Provide Air, Ground Forces for Yemen Operation

"We are taking part with air and land forces in the 'Firmness Storm' operations and our forces have now begun mechanized movement towards the sites of the operations," Sudanese Defense Minister Abdelrahim Mohammed Hussein told a press conference.

The minister gave no further details on the number of troops or aircraft involved, or what role they would play.

Iraq Opposes Saudi-Led Air Strikes in Yemen
Posted by: trailing wife 2015-03-26
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=413695