(Credit: Wikipedia)     Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin  spoke by phone with Saudi Minister of Defense His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Thursday “to reaffirm the strategic defense partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”   They also discussed Houthi attacks and the war in Yemen.  According to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby,  Secretary Austin condemned the recent Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed his commitment to assisting Saudi Arabia in the defense of its borders. His Royal Highness Crown Prince  MSB also serves as Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia.  The US  recently revoked the Houthis’ terrorist designation but called on the armed group to cease their advance on Marib and halt all military operations and turn to negotiations. Gen. Austin’s call was the first from a Biden Cabinet official to the Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince.

“Secretary Austin  reiterated recent changes in U.S. policy toward the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen, discussed the importance of ending the war, and thanked the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a political settlement. He underscored Saudi Arabia’s role as a pillar of the regional security architecture in the Middle East and the importance of sharing the responsibility of regional security and stability.   Secretary Austin noted US and Saudi shared commitment to countering Iran’s destabilizing activities and defeating violent extremist organizations in the region.”

-Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby

Pentagon Committed to 70-Year-old  U.S.-Saudi Security Partnership : Austin 

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks to Department of Defense personnel, with President Joe. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 2021. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

“I had a productive call with Saudi Defense Minister His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today. We discussed the continued commitment to the 70 year US-Saudi security partnership, and I’m looking forward to working together to achieve regional security & stability.”

-U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said via Twitter