The Saudi Arabian offensive in Yemen continues as the Saudis have launched airstrikes against Houthi rebels throughout Yemen, including at one of the major international airports to possibly prevent an Iranian plane from landing, making the runway unusable. According to the New York Times, the airport is used extensively as a transit point for international aid to Yemen. The Iranian government reported that a plane that was carrying medical supplies was forced to return home.
The United States government has been trying to prevent any further conflict, and while the government publicly backs the campaign. The Huffington Post reports that the White House “is increasingly signaling a desire for the campaign to come to an end,” with the President’s National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice stating that “There is no military solution to the crisis in Yemen, and the humanitarian situation will only worsen as the conflict continues.”
Iran, meanwhile, has been highly critical of the Saudi attacks, with a senior military commander in Iran saying the Saudis should face “severe punishment” for the attacks. But this stance is only complicated by the fact that the United States, Saudi Arabia and many of their allies all maintain the fact that Iran is in fact arming the rebels themselves. If these claims are true, it may mean that the entire campaign is yet another dimension of the longstanding proxy war between two states and not a simple matter of repelling rebel forces.
The Saudis have used multiple methods besides airstrikes, including dropping off weapons to allied tribes and militia and providing training. The bombings by Saudi Arabia have not managed to score decisive victories against the Houthis, which has led them to recruitment local forces to combat these rebels.
The United States has already had small numbers of special operations commandos in place in Yemen since 2012. The World Health Organization reports that at least 1,244 people have been killed and 5,044 injured since the beginning of this conflict. 300,000 people have been displaced and a further 12 million civilians are experiencing a shortage of food. This conflict so far has not seen any definitive action, and as the stalemate continues, further lives are expected to be lost. How long the United States continues to support the campaign remains to be seen.
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