The United States will offer logistical and intelligence support to Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council members in Yemen, according to a statement from National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan.
The United States is not taking direct military action, according to the statement, but the United States is setting up a Joint Planning Cell with Saudi Arabia.
The statement comes after reports that Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes in Yemen following violence in the country by Houthi rebels, according to The Washington Post.
The Saudi attacks came at the request of Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, according to the White House release.
"We strongly urge the Houthis to halt immediately their destabilizing military actions and return to negotiations as part of the political dialogue," the release stated. "The international community has spoken clearly through the UN Security Council and in other fora that the violent takeover of Yemen by an armed faction is unacceptable and that a legitimate political transition – long sought by the Yemeni people – can be accomplished only through political negotiations and a consensus agreement among all of the parties."
