Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency meanwhile issued a warning of potential danger in the south, the first alert since the Houthis launched an attack on Riyadh over the weekend.
The alert, which asked people to remain indoors and avoid open areas, was lifted a short while later.
G7 leaders representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States said in a statement “we call on the Houthis to immediately cease all military actions”.
“All threats and attacks against civilian shipping, and to return to the political process in good faith,” it added, while calling on Iran “to end its arming of and support for the Houthis”.
UK, FRANCE SUPPORT
Britain has agreed to provide some military support to Saudi Arabia, UK defence minister Luke Pollard said, while France also pledged to help secure Saudi energy infrastructure, a diplomatic source told AFP.
“This in no way involves taking part in the conflict with the Houthis,” the French source added.
The Houthis have carried out attacks against facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.
The East-West Pipeline – a crucial crude oil export route – has also been shut down following drone attacks launched from Iraq, according to Riyadh.
The head of Yemen’s governing body Rashad al-Alimi held a call with US President Donald Trump to request American support against the pro-Iranian fighters, a source in Alimi’s office told AFP on Monday.
Trump did not promise military support, the source said, adding that the call was intended as a show of solidarity.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also urged Trump to strike the Houthis, US media reported.
The New York Times said the crown prince called Trump on Sunday “to implore him, again” to help counter the group’s advances, with Axios previously saying Trump had rebuffed a similar request last week.
Fox News reported on Sunday that Trump had said the Houthis have agreed not to hit US targets.
