Saudi Arabia, Allies Attack Yemen; Strikes Underway: Reports

Saudi Arabia's U.S. Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir said late Wednesday that his nation and its regional allies had launched a strike on Yemen to dislodge Houthi rebels there, according to reports. Speaking in Washington, al-Jubeir said airstrikes against the Houthi forces -- which Iran is widely believed to be supporting -- began at 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time with the goal of protecting "the legitimate government of Yemen," the Associated Press said. He said 10 nations were taking part in the operation, including members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, reports said. The U.S. had been consulted on the move but wasn't taking part directly, the reports said. The announcement followed news earlier in the day that the Houthi advance on the major port city of Aden had forced the president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, to flee by sea.