ambassador to yemen gerald fire firestein. he discusses the administration's partnerships and plans for counter-terrorism in the region. from capitol hill, this is about 90 minutes. >> after recognizing myself and ranking member deutsche for five minutes, as soon as he shows up each for opening statements, i will then recognize other members seeking recognition for one minute. we will then hear from our witness and without objection, mr. ambassador, members may have five days in which to insert statements for the record subject to the length limitation and rules. the subcommittee invited the department of defense to send an official to testify before us this afternoon built dod stated that they were unable to participate at this hearing. and declined to come. but we got the better of the deal because we have you, mr. ambassador. the chair now recognizes herself for five minutes. on september 10th of last year, president obama announced to the american public his plan to degrade and destroy the terrorist group isil. while makin

and we're so pleased to welcome ambassador gerald firestein, the principle deputy assistant secretary of the bureau of near eastern affairs. previously, he served as our ambassador to yemen from 2010 to 2013. so he knows this area very well. he has served in several different postings throughout the middle east including as deputy chief of missions in islamabad and deputy council general in jerusalem. thank you for your service, mr. ambassador. we look forward to your testimony. and may i point out your lovely fiancee sitting behind you. welcome. does she know the hours that you put in every day in your job? she might want to reconsider. mr. ambassador? you're on. >> thank you so much, madam chairman. madam chairman, ranking member deutsche, members of the committee, i greatly appreciate this opportunity to come before you today and review recent developments in yemen and the efforts that the united states is undertaking to support the government of yemen under president hadi and the saudi led coalition of operation decisive storm. that is aimed at restoring the legitimate government

and we're so pleased to welcome ambassador gerald firestein the principle deputy assistant secretary of the bureau of near eastern affairs. previously, he served as our ambassador to yes, ma'amen from 2010 to 2013. so he knows this area very well. he has served in several different postings throughout the middle east including as deputy chief of missions in islamabad and deputy council general in jerusalem. thank you for your service, mr. ambassador. we look forward to your testimony. and may i point out your lovely fiancee sitting behind you. welcome. does she know the hours that you put in every day in your job? she might want to reconsider. mr. ambassador? you're on. >> thank you so much madam chairman. madam chairman ranking member deutsche, members of the committee, i greatly appreciate this opportunity to come before you today and review recent developments in yemen and the efforts that the united states is undertaking to support the government of yemen under president hadi and the saudi led coalition of operation decisive storm. that is aimed at restoring the legitimate govern

ambassador to yemen gerald fire firestein. he discusses the administration's partnerships and plans for

ambassador to yemen gerald fire firestein. he discusses the administration's partnerships and plans for counter-terrorism in the region. from capitol hill, this is about 90 minutes. >> after recognizing myself and ranking member deutsche for five minutes, as soon as he shows up each for opening statements, i will then recognize other members seeking recognition for one minute. we will then hear from our witness and without objection, mr. ambassador, members may have five days in which to insert statements for the record subject to the length limitation and rules. the subcommittee invited the department of defense to send an official to testify before us this afternoon built dod stated that they were unable to participate at this hearing. and declined to come. but we got the better of the deal because we have you, mr. ambassador. the chair now recognizes herself for five minutes. on september 10th of last year, president obama announced to the american public his plan to degrade and destroy the terrorist group isil. while makin