11-04-2015 | 10:47

Saudi Arabia continue its aggression, backed by the US, against the Yemeni people.

KSA Continues Its Brutality on Yemen as US Expands Intelligence with Al-Saud

In the seventeenth day of aggression, the Saudi jets targeted innocent civilians in several areas of Yemen, leaving a number of martyrs and wounded, mostly children and women.

Meanwhile, Reuters revealed details of the American support to the Gulf Kingdom.

The United States is expanding its intelligence-sharing with Saudi Arabia to provide more information about potential targets in the kingdom's aggression against Yemen, US officials told Reuters.

The stepped-up assistance comes as two weeks of relentless air strikes by the Saudis and other Gulf Arab allies have largely failed to halt advances forces.

The US officials said the expanded assistance includes sensitive intelligence data.
"We have opened up the aperture a bit wider with what we are sharing with our Saudi partners," said one US official.

A senior US diplomat said earlier this week that Washington was speeding up arms supplies and bolstering intelligence sharing with the Saudi-led alliance. The Pentagon has said it is beginning aerial refueling of Arab coalition jets - although outside Yemeni airspace.

The US role has now expanded in size and scope, involving more detailed "vetting" of targeting information prepared by the Saudis.

The White House and Pentagon would not comment specifically when asked about expanded intelligence-sharing.

"The United States is providing our partners with necessary and timely intelligence to defend Saudi Arabia and respond to other efforts to support the legitimate government of Yemen," said Alistair Baskey, a White House spokesman.

Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke in general terms about the expanded cooperation during a Monday visit to Riyadh, without disclosing specifics.

"Saudi Arabia is sending a strong message to the Houthis and their allies that they cannot overrun Yemen by force," Blinken said.

"As part of that effort, we have expedited weapons deliveries, we have increased our intelligence sharing, and we have established a joint coordination planning cell in the Saudi operation center," he added.

The United States has sent a 20-member military coordination team to interact with the Gulf allies, led by Marine Major General Carl Mundy. Assigning a two-star general will facilitate interactions with other high-ranking officials from other nations, US officials said.

The United States this week started daily air-to-air refueling flights of fighter jets from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

But even with its refueling flights, the United States is exhibiting caution -- carrying out the flights outside Yemeni airspace and requesting financial reimbursement from allies.

It is still unclear how the United States plans to accelerate the delivery of bombs and guidance kits to its allies.

One person familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States might accelerate shipments to the United Arab Emirates, which could then also help resupply Saudi Arabia.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team