Saudi king mobilises National Guard for Yemen operations

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has ordered the National Guard, a ground force that exists apart from the army, to mobilise for operations against Houthi militia in Yemen, the official SPA news agency said Tuesday.

It did not clarify how the National Guard would take part in the operation, which has seen a Saudi-led coalition launch air strikes against the Shiite militiamen who took control of the capital Sanaa in September before dissolving the country's government and parliament.

SPA quoted National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah as saying he was "honoured" by Salman's "decision that National Guard forces take part" in the operation.

He signalled the "complete readiness of all National Guard forces to carry out this role alongside other military bodies" in Saudi Arabia.

The force is to "take part in defending the security" of the kingdom, SPA reported, without elaborating.

Saudi Arabia launched the air war against Houthi militia forces in Yemen on 26 March. It has so far rejected mounting a ground offensive but Saudi troops have clashed with the militiamen in border areas.

The National Guard is a parallel army in Saudi Arabia separate from the armed forces run by the defence ministry.

Recruited from tribes that have traditionally backed Saud dynasty rule, it is a pillar of support for the royal family.

It is led by Miteb, the son of the late King Abdullah and educated at the elite Sandhurst military academy. 

The guard is a trained army of 100,000 men, divided into infantry units, mechanised brigades, special units and military police.