Editor’s Note:

The Saudi-led campaign against Yemeni Houthi rebels which began with airstrikes at midnight on the morning of March 26, 2015 has met its phase 1 goals according to Brig. Gen Asiri at the first briefing of the campaign. He talked about the first day of operations at an evening briefing on  March 26th and his remarks were reported by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and are provided for you here. Also check the links that follow and the SUSRIS Special Section “Turmoil in Yemen” and look forward to our interviews from today with Dr. Joseph Kechichian, Dr. Theodore Karasik and Professor David Des Roches on Operation “Decisive Storm.” [Here’s the link to subscribe to SUSRIS.com newsletters: http://eepurl.com/bgwCn]

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri says, in his first daily briefing of the “determination storm” operation, that the goals of phase one of the operation were achieved

Riyadh, Jumada II 6, 1436, March 26, 2015, SPA — Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri, consultant at the minister of defense’s office said today that the goals of phase I of the operations were achieved through air supremacy, citing the use of state-of-the-art air warplanes and logistics to destroy air defenses of the Houthi militia, attack their airbases, devastate on-the-ground aircraft and ballistic missiles and silence the command and control centers.

In his first ‘determination storm’ operation daily briefing, he said the storm began in the first hour of March 26 with air raids to secure a number of objectives, including paralyzing the air defenses, particularly Sam missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.

Brig.Gen. Ahmed Asiri briefed the press on progress in Operation “Decisive Storm” (ArabNews)

He said the storm’s pilots were able in the first 15 minutes of the raids to have a complete control on the skies of Yemen, a successful achievement of phase I of the operation.

He explained that each air sortie consists of a big number of aircraft, including the fighters, refueling, early warning, reconnaissance, search and rescue.

He added that a number of warplanes took part, with the Saudi ones in the front.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri

Asiri said Sanaa-based Al-Dilaimi airbase which includes a big number of warplanes, ammunition inventories, maintenance centers and technical support for aircraft was a major goal of the operation.

He made a presentation of today’s sorties that took the Houthis by surprise.

He said the operation timed with a number of armed terrorist groups making their way towards the southern border of the Kingdom with Yemen. He added that they were completely destroyed by air and land forces warplanes, an operation climaxing today’s operations.

Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Interior Mohammed bin Nayef and Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman were at a military command for briefings following the launch of Operation “Decisive Storm.” (SPA)

Then, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri, Adviser at the Minister of Defense’s office answered the reporters’ questions.

On the participation of ground forces in the operations, he said: Currently there no plan to the participation of ground forces in the ongoing operation during the current stages, but if necessary, the Saudi ground forces are ready as well as the ground forces of friendly and sisterly countries to deter any aggression of any kind.

On the expected duration of the operations, the nature of the terrain in Yemen, he explained that the operations will continue as long as there is a need for their continuation to achieve all its objectives and as for Yemeni terrain, all know it is difficult terrain, but the armed forces and coalition’s forces are able to act under all circumstances.

On encountering hostile media which claimed yesterday that two Saudi aircraft were shut down, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri emphasized that all the aircraft participated in the operation returned safely to their air bases.

Regarding information that reported on an Iranian attempt to intervene across the sea and that the Egyptian navy has dealt with this threat, Brig. Gen. Asiri said: the operation’s goals were clear, aerial targets, stressing that the brotherly and friendly countries operate concurrently and in integration with the Saudi armed forces, and the goal is to prevent Houthi militias from damaging the Yemeni people and its neighbors, topped by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and we won’t allow any supplies for Houthi rebel organization until the end of this operation.

On the future of military operations in the case of possible transferring to ground operations, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri said: In such cases, we have to be at a level of readiness, taking into account all the possible circumstances and the forces are ready to deal with any threats, whether air, land, yet there are no ground operations right now, but if necessary, we are ready for that.

At the conclusion of the conference, he said that every evening a daily briefing on the progress of ‘Determination Storm’ Operation’ will be presented while the reporters’ questions will be answered at the same time.

–SPA

Read more on this topic:

• Operation to continue until achieved – Arab News – Mar 27, 2015
• Amb Al-Jubeir Interview – Yemen Campaign (Transcript) – SUSRIS – Mar 27, 2015
• Saudi Ambassador to U.S. won’t rule out building nukes – CNN Video – Mar 27, 2015
• Statement by Saudi Ambassador Al-Jubeir on Military Operations in Yemen [Transcript] – SUSRIS – Mar 26, 2015
• America, Saudi Arabia and the Strategic Importance of Yemen – Cordesman – SUSRIS – Mar 26, 2015
• Arab Foreign Ministers Hold Summit Preparatory Meeting – SUSRIS – Mar 26, 2015
• For the Record | US Statement on the Situation in Yemen – SUSRIS – March 26, 2015
• Saudi Leaders at Military Command Center in Photos – SUSRIS – March 26, 2015
• Saudis, Partners Act to Recover Yemen From a “Dark Tunnel” – SUSRIS – Mar 25, 2015
• Special Report | Crisis in Yemen – Saudi Arabia Strikes – SUSRIS – Mar 25, 2015
• SUSRIS Special Section – Turmoil in Yemen-2015