By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Managing Editor
SANAA, Yemen — Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that it is scaling back its military operations in neighboring Yemen, after more than three weeks of airstrikes that have so far failed to drive back the Shiite rebels who ousted President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, President of the Revolutionary Committee, assumed power. The announcement could single the end of the largest military operation ever conducted by Saudi Arabia.
The Gulf State’s Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri announced that the coalition led by Saudi Arabia would transition to a new operation in Yemen that focuses on addressing a worsening humanitarian crisis, combating terrorism and finding a political solution to end the conflict. Despite the failure of the airstrikes to drive away the Houthi rebels the General claimed the operation was a success and that the campaign had achieved its military objectives by successfully eliminating threats to Saudi security, including the destruction of the Iranian backed Houthi rebels’ supply of missiles and heavy weapons. General Asiri said the objectives of the opposition were achieved”by a very good planning, very precise execution, by the courage of our pilots, our sailors, our soldiers.”
Supporters of Mohammed Ali al-Houthi remained defiant after the announcement from Saudi Arabia. “This announcement of a halt to this operation is nothing but a shameful defeat for Saudi,” said Mohammed Meftah, a pro-Houthis politician. He added that Saudi Arabian government would have to pay billions of dollars in reparations for the damage caused by the airstrikes, saying that state is criminally responsible for the damage.”
United States National Security Council spokesperson Alistair Baskey, said that “the United States welcomes” the Saudi announcement. He added, “we continue to support the resumption of a U.N.-facilitated political process and the facilitation of humanitarian assistance.” officials in the United States have grown uneasy about the Saudi coalition’s objectives and have become concerned that the airstrikes have shifted the security focus away al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is based in Yemen and has taken advantage of the chaos in the gulf state.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest would not make any direct comments on any Navy movements in Yemeni waters, but said the United States has concerns over Iran’s support for the Houthis rebels. Earnest said; “we have seen evidence that the Iranians are supplying weapons and other armed support to the Houthis in Yemen. That support will only contribute to greater violence in that country. These are exactly the kind of destabilizing activities that we have in mind when we raise concerns about Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East.” He added “the Iranians are acutely aware of our concerns for their continued support of the Houthis by sending them large shipments of weapons.”
For more information please see:
BBC News – Yemen conflict: Saudi Arabia ends air campaign – 21 April 2015
CNN International – Saudi Arabia launching political solution campaign in Yemen – 21 April 2015
The New York Times – Middle East Advertisement 63 Comments Middle East Saudis Announce Halt to Yemen Bombing Campaign – 21 April 2015
The Washington Post – Saudi Arabia says it will scale back its military campaign in Yemen – 21 April 2015
