Yemen president ‘in high spirits’ after Saudi air strikes start, says aide

In this photo taken Tuesday, March 24, 2015, tanks seized recently by militiamen loyal to Yemen’s President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi take positions at the al-Anad air base in the southern province of Lahej, 60 kilometers (35 miles) north of Aden, Yemen (AP photo)

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi remains in his base in Aden and is in high spirits after ally Saudi Arabia and other countries began attacking the Houthi group opposed to his rule, an aide said.

“This operation has restored people’s determination” to fight the Houthis, Mohammed Marem, director of Hadi’s office, told Reuters.

“The president is in high spirits and thanks Gulf countries, Egypt, Jordan and Sudan and all countries in the region,” he said, adding that the operation was directed mainly against Houthi air defences in the north of Yemen.