WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday reiterated commitment to helping Saudi Arabia defend itself. The US secretary of state’s remarks come in the wake of the continued attacks launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia against the Kingdom “Secretary Blinken reiterated our commitment to supporting the defense of Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned recent attacks against Saudi territory from Iranian-aligned groups in the region,” State Department Spokesman Ned Price said while referring to a call between Blinken and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan. Taking to Twitter later, the US secretary of state said: “Spoke today with Saudi Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan on our work together to end the conflict in Yemen, facilitate humanitarian access and aid for the Yemeni people, and defend the Kingdom from external threats. Also discussed the need for continued progress on human rights”. Earlier in the day, Prince Faisal announced Saudi Arabia’s new peace initiative to end the years-long war in Yemen. "The Saudi initiative includes a ceasefire throughout the country under the supervision of the United Nations," Prince Farhan said during a press conference.