Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, the vice-president of Yemen’s UN-backed government, urged Western nations to target the Houthi leadership while Iran is perceived as weakened. He suggested that coordinated air and ground military operations could effectively counter the Houthis, while also proposing the Houthis be designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Zoubaidi criticized the ineffectiveness of current U.S. military strategies against the Houthis and indicated a shift away from diplomatic solutions in favor of military action.
The vice-president of Yemen’s UN-backed government, Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, has urged Western nations to target the Iranian-aligned Houthi leadership while Iran is perceived as weakened due to recent setbacks in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. He emphasized that the current geopolitical climate presents a prime opportunity to counter the Houthis effectively and suggested a combined ground and air military strategy to reclaim territory and influence.
Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zoubaidi called upon the new U.S. administration to formally classify the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, praising former President Trump for his assertive leadership. His comments signal a potential military offensive, leveraging the perceived decline of Iranian power and an opportunity for a collaborative approach against the Houthis
Zoubaidi asserted that while Iran would likely continue supporting the Houthis, the Yemeni forces should intensify their efforts to suppress Houthi power. He expressed willingness from the Yemeni government to share intelligence with any parties conducting operations against the Houthis, hinting at possible collaborations even with Israel.
However, he criticized current U.S. military actions against the Houthis as ineffective, claiming they lack coordination and do not focus on key leadership targets or strategic locations. He noted that previous attacks merely targeted the Houthis’ surface activities rather than their command structure or headquarters, undermining their overall effectiveness.
The Houthi movement, which controls Yemen’s capital Sana’a since 2014, has stated it will limit its attacks to vessels directly associated with Israel during the Gaza ceasefire. Meanwhile, the Houthis claim to be negotiating for the release of hostages, highlighting a complicated landscape of actions and engagements in the region.
Furthermore, Zoubaidi commented on the unique social structure supporting the Houthis, emphasizing that simply removing their leadership would not dismantle their influence as effectively as hoped. He criticized the Biden administration’s decisions, including the declassification of the Houthis from terrorist organizations, which has given them a new operational space.
The remarks by Zoubaidi reveal a shift in the perception of the diplomatic approach to peace in Yemen, indicating that the previous roadmap is now viewed as less viable. He leads the Southern Transitional Council, which has backing from the UAE, yet it remains unclear whether his military strategy will align with Saudi Arabia or the new U.S. administration’s policies.
This article discusses the ongoing conflict in Yemen, primarily focusing on the role of the Houthis, a group backed by Iran, and the call for a more aggressive military response by the UN-backed Yemeni government. As Iran faces challenges in other regions, the Yemeni leadership sees a unique opportunity to weaken the Houthis, leveraging international support, particularly from the West. The dynamics involve multiple regional players, including the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, each with their vested interests in the outcome of the conflict.
In conclusion, the call from Aidarus al-Zoubaidi represents a significant moment in the Yemeni conflict, suggesting a shift towards a more militaristic approach against the Houthis. The current geopolitical situation, marked by perceived weaknesses in Iran and shifts in U.S. policy, may pave the way for coordinated efforts to counter Houthi influence. However, the complexities surrounding alliances and operational strategies remain pivotal to any potential success.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
