Press Releases

Operation Decisive Storm Ends, Operation Renewal of Hope Begins With Military Objectives Achieved, Focus Shifts to the Political Process

April 21, 2015

(WASHINGTON, DC) - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners today announced that the military objectives of Operation Decisive Storm have been achieved. At the request of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi of Yemen, the focus will now shift from military operations to the political process. While the coalition will continue to protect the Yemeni people, counter any military moves by the Houthis or their allies, and deal with any threat against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or its neighbors, Operation Renewal of Hope will focus on the political process that will lead to a stable and secure future for Yemen.

Operation Decisive Storm has successfully responded to the appeal of the Yemini government and achieved its objectives, including:

  1. The protection of Yemen from a takeover by Houthi militias and their allies.
  2. The security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries, especially from ballistic missiles and heavy weapons captured by the Houthi militias and their allies.
  3. The neutralization of most of the military capabilities of the Houthi militias and their allies that represented a threat to Yemen and neighboring countries.
  4. The prevention of the flow of weapons from outside of Yemen into the country.
  5. The protection of the legitimate government and its ability to conduct its affairs.

Operation Renewal of Hope, which begins today, seeks prompt resumption of the U.N. facilitated talks to allow the political process to move forward in line with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2216 on Yemen, the GCC Initiative, and the outcomes of the Yemeni National Dialogue.

Further objectives of Operation Renewal of Hope include protecting civilians, enhancing humanitarian and medical assistance to the Yemini people, confronting terrorism, and preventing any moves by the Houthi militias and their allies to acquire or use weapons seized from the Yemeni armed forces or abroad. Objectives also include building an international coalition to provide maritime security to protect commerce and to prevent the shipments of weapons by sea or air in line with U.N. Resolution 2216, including enhanced monitoring and inspections.