Saudi’s Increase Airstrikes While Seeking Endgame in Yemen
Saudi led-coalition aircraft have been dropping leaflets in Old Saada of the Saada province in Yemen warning civilians to leave the region. The leaflets encouraged civilians to stay away from Houthi strongholds to ensure their personal safety.
On Wednesday, Houthi rebels fired artillery shells across the border into Saudi Arabia, leaving ten dead. As a result, Saudi officials promised harsh retaliation. Saudi forces have continued to launch airstrikes aimed at Houthi-controlled locations in the Northern city of Saada. These airstrikes have resulted in more than 1,200 casualties. In the past 24 hours, Saudi Arabia has launched more than 50 attacks on Saada. Last week coalition forces reportedly landed commando units near Aden to assist Yemeni tribal militias in retaking the Aden airport from the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia proposed a 5-day, renewable ceasefire deal to the Houthi rebels. The deal would immediately end if there is violence anywhere in Yemen. As of Friday, May 8th, the Houthis have yet to accept the deal, but Saudi officials say that the ceasefire will begin May 12th.
The Shia Houthi rebels seized control of Saada in September 2014.
Their demands include reinstated fuel subsidies, a greater portion of power in the government and the designation of the north as its own region. The allegedly Iranian backed Houthi rebels took control of President Hadi’s palace in October, forcing Hadi to flee. Despite denouncing any claims of affiliation, Iranian officials shared that they did send military personnel to train Houthi fighters and have been providing other military support in the form of arms and equipment.
While Saudi Arabia’s bombardment has been prolonged, they have not succeeded in weakening Houthi resistance at this point. If the Houthis do not buckle to the air campaign, the Saudi-led coalition may have to escalate to ground combat in order to secure their objeectives. So far however few nations have volunteered to fill this role, which the Saudis traditionally are reluctant to do themselves. Oman, technically a Gulf Cooperation Council ally, has remained neutral and has been pushing for diplomatic action. Pakistan, who has been a longtime ally of Saudi Arabia, declined to send ground troops as well. In the past the Saudis have relied heavily on its alliance with Pakistan, and failing to achieve Pakistani cooperation denies Saudi a source of needed manpower.
Nearly all allied countries have ruled out providing ground troops, except for Senegal. On Monday, May 4th, Senegal committed to sending 2,100 troops. Senegal, which receives military training and assistance from U.S. and European nations, funding from Saudi Arabia, participates in numerous UN peacekeeping missions, and is known as one of the more effective military forces in Africa.
It is currently unclear where those troops will be sent and what role they will play. The repeated line given has been that troops are needed in order to “to protect and secure the holy sites of Islam, Medina and Mecca.” A threat from Yemen against Mecca and Medina carries with it significance in both Sunni and Shia End Times beliefs, and the Saudi monarchy’s position as the guardian of these sites is an important part of their regime’s legitimacy. As a result invocating this claim is suggestive of the depths the Saudis are prepared to go to push back Iranian influence in the Arabian peninsula.
