More Facts About The Current Conflict In Yemen

Salaams. I found an interesting article on the Yemen situation that I think everyone should read. It goes over a lot of the details that people in Yemen and Saudi Arabia know, but Western media isn't touching.

Trying it again

www.al-monitor.com...

To summarize as best I can:

Yemen's former leader for over 20 years, President Saleh, allied with the Houthis last year & is the major force helping them seize power now. You may remember him as Yemen's President that got kicked out during the Arab Spring. Well, he & the Saudis are enemies because he was the only vote on the UN Security Council that backed Saddam Hussein in the First Iraq War (Desert Storm). Apparently he had a side deal with Saddam where if Iraq invaded Saudi Arabia, they would give Yemen some of the land it lost to Saudi Arabia in the past. Understandably, the Saudis hate him and had tried to assassinate and oust him several times.

Late last year he started working with his former enemies, the Houthis, and the UN responded by freezing his assets & with a travel ban. Saleh & the Houthis have responded with the military operations you hear about now. That's why Saudi Arabia's reacting so strongly. And the articles say they've already bombed Saleh's home village & stronghold. There's more but you can read the article for that

a reply to: enlightenedservant

Six months ago, Obama took great pride in Had's leadership in Yemen.
Now Obama is totally silent on all developments recently.

Thanks for the great source!

a reply to: Granite

No problem. It's one of the sites I visit to learn more about things in the Mideast. It doesn't stick to one side in its articles, and gets contributions from all kinds of people (activists, government officials, etc). It's not perfect but it goes into waaaay more detail than our overly simplified news.

EDIT: Oh & the more that I read about Yemen, the more I don't know what the US should do. Help Saleh, who helped us in the War on Terror, or help the Saudis, our petrodollar ally that sometimes supports the terror groups?

a reply to: enlightenedservant

Very interesting, good find, thanks for sharing. The waters of the ME are so muddied its hard to get a perspective on things and all info that helps understand the situation a bit better is welcome.
S&F

originally posted by: enlightenedservant
a reply to: Granite

EDIT: Oh & the more that I read about Yemen, the more I don't know what the US should do. Help Saleh, who helped us in the War on Terror, or help the Saudis, our petrodollar ally that sometimes supports the terror groups?

Strength is the ability to do things,
skill is doing it properly,
virtue is doing the right thing,
wisdom, is knowing if you should.

Haha, proves Saddam had invasion plans for Saudi after all. He thought he could roll into Kuwait then take what he wanted from Saudi Arabia and Yemen was going to share in the pie. The US froze his assets so now he gets backed by Iran who is just a puppet of Russia. Cold War alive and well. If Iran gains full control of both sides of the straights into the Persian Gulf, Russia's economy gets a lever to save itself.

I'm interested to see if the Saudi's coalition will launch ground troops. Southern Yemen already has a strong secession movement, so I wonder which side of the conflict they would join. They didn't like Saleh when he was in power & fought against him. But they also were trying to regain independence so they could stay away from Saudi influence.

Hmmm... I'm going to try to find more info on their views.

originally posted by: enlightenedservant
I'm interested to see if the Saudi's coalition will launch ground troops. Southern Yemen already has a strong secession movement, so I wonder which side of the conflict they would join. They didn't like Saleh when he was in power & fought against him. But they also were trying to regain independence so they could stay away from Saudi influence.

Hmmm... I'm going to try to find more info on their views.

The Saudis are likely to only push the Houthis back to their original territory. Since Yemen has four main factions, they all sort of balanc each other out. The Saudis likely want that balance returned. And since doing any more than that could lead to a mess for them. Limited objectives, making it a quick operation that meet goals that secure their intrests. I am sure they have learned from the lack of any real goal in the Iraq invasion how not to let themselves be drug into a mess.

And many times during conflcts in Yemen sides just do not show up. It all sort depends on the moods of the tribes.

a reply to: enlightenedservant

Dont worry it is all going to plan . Saudi attacks Yemen . Iran wades in with Russian arms . Shia unite under Iranian flag . Usa does nothing as Iran is now their BFF . Turkey wades in but has their own problems with the Shia minority , same with Pakistan . Sunni sides struggle without any powers supplying them with arms . Both fight for years seriously depleting their ability to control their own territory . Hosue of Saud falls . Peace is negotiated but Russia winks at the US and between them they split the oil . China gets pissed because they got nothing and takes Japan among others , no one cares Japan has no oil . Lil Kim feels left out as well . Shoots at south Korea , gets glassed in response , later seen hanging out with Elvis singing hounddog ,comes second on Americas got talent . Australia invades New Zealand , takes their sheep . New Zealand gets pissed and invades Papua New Guinea . PNG turns Muslim , emigrates to the middle east . Sunnis get mad .....

originally posted by: MrSpad

originally posted by: enlightenedservant
I'm interested to see if the Saudi's coalition will launch ground troops. Southern Yemen already has a strong secession movement, so I wonder which side of the conflict they would join. They didn't like Saleh when he was in power & fought against him. But they also were trying to regain independence so they could stay away from Saudi influence.

Hmmm... I'm going to try to find more info on their views.

The Saudis are likely to only push the Houthis back to their original territory. Since Yemen has four main factions, they all sort of balanc each other out. The Saudis likely want that balance returned. And since doing any more than that could lead to a mess for them. Limited objectives, making it a quick operation that meet goals that secure their intrests. I am sure they have learned from the lack of any real goal in the Iraq invasion how not to let themselves be drug into a mess.

And many times during conflcts in Yemen sides just do not show up. It all sort depends on the moods of the tribes.

Sorry for the late reply. Had to jump on a project for a while.

Ok, if the article is true, and the Saudi coalition is targeting Saleh's bases, I can't imagine they'd accept him staying alive or in Yemen after this. And I can't imagine the recently deposed President allowing it either (if he regains the Presidency). Apparently Saleh was given blanket immunity when he stepped down in the Arab Spring, so I'm wondering if this would be discarded if the Saudi side wins. And if so, I can't imagine Saleh just turning himself over to face prosecution and poissibly execution.

a reply to: hutch622

The problem with that is that some of the Sunnis in Yemen may be pro-Saudi, but others definitely aren't. And some of the Shiites may work with Iran, but many are only loyal to their tribes. So there's no guarantee they'll work with each other.

Also, the people in southern Yemen had a separate country, then united under Saleh, felt betrayed by Saleh, and tried to secede from him. You'd think they'd work with the Saudis, but they were fighting against the Saudis before they joined with northern Yemen lol.

a reply to: enlightenedservant

I found what seems to be a good piece . Not sure how accurate it is but it sounds like it could be what has ,is and may happen .

Yemen and the Changing Strategic Equation in the Middle East

The Houthi takeover of Sana took place in the same timeframe as a series of success or regional victories for Iran, Hezbollah, Syria and the Resistance Bloc that they and other local actors form collectively. In Syria, the Syrian government managed to entrench its position while in Iraq the ISIL/ISIS/Daesh movement was being pushed back by Iraq with the noticeable help of Iran and local Iraqi militias allied to Tehran.

The strategic equation in the Middle East began to shift as it became clear that Iran was becoming central to its security architecture and stability. The House of Saud and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began to whimper and complain that Iran was in control of four regional capitals—Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, and Sana - and that something had to be done to stop Iranian expansion. As a result of the new strategic equation, the Israelis and the House of Saud became perfectly strategically aligned with the objective of neutralizing Iran and its regional allies. «When the Israelis and Arabs are on the same page, people should pay attention», Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer told Fox News about the alignment of Israel and Saudi Arabia on March 5.

www.informationclearinghouse.info...

a reply to: hutch622
Actually due to the dozen+ US air bases surrounding Iran they are in a holding action.

US air bases near Iran

The Turks are a little busy fighting a covert war in Syria, and
are more worried about a northern Iraq group forming their own
province based on a country that existed before colonial powers
decided to redraw borders after WWI.

Kurdistan

Some of the Houthi rebels are not Shiites, some are just ppl that are
upset with corrupt government as has been seen in the US and EU,
but Yemen has more light weapons per capita than any nation on earth,
That includes even the US as hard as that is to believe.

Add to this some of the missing MANPADS from Benghazi and you
might wonder if that came into play with a Saudi F-15 shot down ???

15-20 thousands MANPADS missing from Benghazi

Pieces of the Saudi F-15 shot down

The wall street journal made the story sound like the F-15 went down
over the ocean, and they stopped by and gave them a ride, lol.

With China ramping up the US Liquid Fluroide Thorium Reactor design
they may move to the vision seen in the documentary "The Thorium Dream".

The oil concern will fade for them if they make this happen, and they
will have power cheaper then coal, and sell the reactor designed by
the US in the 60's all over the world and it can burn 90+% of the nuclear waste
laying around as well.

Fortunately here in the US our politicians can be bought cheap, but
you will need to outbid the current batch of billionaires puppeteering them.

Hopefully the US and EU folks will not get to see the KH-102 up close.

KH-102

"The Kh-101 is described as having an "aerial torpedo" configuration, but with swept wings and use of radar absorbing materials, conformal antennas, and other stealth technologies. The design features an INS guidance and satellite navigation receiver for midcourse guidance, with terminal attack using an image matching system. This high precision allows a conventional warhead, though the Kh-102 version has a nuclear warhead. "

Nothing to ruin your day like nuclear stealth cruise missiles.

Makes you wonder if its stealth technique came from that F-117 shotdown
over Kosovo, rather odd them shooting down a F-117.

F-117 shoot down over Kosovo

a reply to: enlightenedservant

mmmm
oil
yummy yummy oil

a reply to: the2ofusr1
The issue in Yemen dates back at least as far as the 2004 murder of the
man with the last name of Houthi.

He was killed and the Houthi movement was born, and a lot of fighting
has gone on for years.

One youtuber claims that not all of the Houthi are shiite, some are
tribal sub sect of Sunni, and are just upset at being politically cheated
much as the elections are rigged here in the US as seen in "Hacking Democracy".

Watch this video and make your own choice, but mine was made
when I realized the US and EU media and even Wikipedia was lying
if this woman is telling the truth.

The inside scoop on Yemen ???

originally posted by: the2ofusr1
a reply to: enlightenedservant

I found what seems to be a good piece . Not sure how accurate it is but it sounds like it could be what has ,is and may happen .

Yemen and the Changing Strategic Equation in the Middle East

The Houthi takeover of Sana took place in the same timeframe as a series of success or regional victories for Iran, Hezbollah, Syria and the Resistance Bloc that they and other local actors form collectively. In Syria, the Syrian government managed to entrench its position while in Iraq the ISIL/ISIS/Daesh movement was being pushed back by Iraq with the noticeable help of Iran and local Iraqi militias allied to Tehran.

The strategic equation in the Middle East began to shift as it became clear that Iran was becoming central to its security architecture and stability. The House of Saud and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began to whimper and complain that Iran was in control of four regional capitals—Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, and Sana - and that something had to be done to stop Iranian expansion. As a result of the new strategic equation, the Israelis and the House of Saud became perfectly strategically aligned with the objective of neutralizing Iran and its regional allies. «When the Israelis and Arabs are on the same page, people should pay attention», Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer told Fox News about the alignment of Israel and Saudi Arabia on March 5.

www.informationclearinghouse.info...

Wish I could star this 20 times It's a really good article.

They left out Saleh's involvement, but I'd guess he's part of the coalition they mentioned that's backing the Houthis. It's interesting how our news doesn't mention ex-President Hadi's own party rejected him, or how the majority of Yemen's citizens support the Houthi coalition.

A part that stood out to me was this about Oman:

Moreover, the Omanis are weary of the Saudi and GCC project to use sectarianism to ignite confrontation with Iran and its allies. The majority of Omanis are neither Sunni Muslims nor Shiite Muslims; they are Ibadi Muslims, and they fear the fanning of sectarian sedition by the House of Saud and the other Arab petro-sheikdoms.

I've been trying to tell people it's really about money & power, not religion. And that the Wahabis are the main ones making it religious, by attacking all of the other Muslims that don't go along with their power brokers. And that the Wahabis & Zionists are allies, which is why ISIS & al-Qaeda don't target Israel. So it's good to see other news outlets are actually mentioning this stuff.

originally posted by: Ex_MislTech
a reply to: the2ofusr1
The issue in Yemen dates back at least as far as the 2004 murder of the
man with the last name of Houthi.

He was killed and the Houthi movement was born, and a lot of fighting
has gone on for years.

One youtuber claims that not all of the Houthi are shiite, some are
tribal sub sect of Sunni, and are just upset at being politically cheated
much as the elections are rigged here in the US as seen in "Hacking Democracy".

Watch this video and make your own choice, but mine was made
when I realized the US and EU media and even Wikipedia was lying
if this woman is telling the truth.

The inside scoop on Yemen ???

Part of that's true, but it goes even further back than that. The guy who was killed was the leader of the Houthi clan/tribe. They've been involved in it since the beginning (like back when Yemen was 2 separate countries).

a reply to: Ex_MislTech

Thanks ...She makes sense even in the context to that piece I linked above but gives a much more personal detail to the ground movement . One thing I have come to believe is that you cant believe MSM about what is happening and especially why it is happening .

originally posted by: enlightenedservant

originally posted by: MrSpad

originally posted by: enlightenedservant
I'm interested to see if the Saudi's coalition will launch ground troops. Southern Yemen already has a strong secession movement, so I wonder which side of the conflict they would join. They didn't like Saleh when he was in power & fought against him. But they also were trying to regain independence so they could stay away from Saudi influence.

Hmmm... I'm going to try to find more info on their views.

The Saudis are likely to only push the Houthis back to their original territory. Since Yemen has four main factions, they all sort of balanc each other out. The Saudis likely want that balance returned. And since doing any more than that could lead to a mess for them. Limited objectives, making it a quick operation that meet goals that secure their intrests. I am sure they have learned from the lack of any real goal in the Iraq invasion how not to let themselves be drug into a mess.

And many times during conflcts in Yemen sides just do not show up. It all sort depends on the moods of the tribes.

Sorry for the late reply. Had to jump on a project for a while.

Ok, if the article is true, and the Saudi coalition is targeting Saleh's bases, I can't imagine they'd accept him staying alive or in Yemen after this. And I can't imagine the recently deposed President allowing it either (if he regains the Presidency). Apparently Saleh was given blanket immunity when he stepped down in the Arab Spring, so I'm wondering if this would be discarded if the Saudi side wins. And if so, I can't imagine Saleh just turning himself over to face prosecution and poissibly execution.

If the Saudis get themselves into a position of winning, no doubt he would be sent into exhile and not allowed to return. Although I do not know if they could even manage that because it would likely require a clear victory and the Houthis being in real danger of being crushed. Saudi and Egypts land forces just are not likey up for a job of that size. In the end I think we will see the Houthi driven back and some ceasefire deal, with possible Arab peace keepers staying.

originally posted by: MrSpad

originally posted by: enlightenedservant

originally posted by: MrSpad

originally posted by: enlightenedservant
I'm interested to see if the Saudi's coalition will launch ground troops. Southern Yemen already has a strong secession movement, so I wonder which side of the conflict they would join. They didn't like Saleh when he was in power & fought against him. But they also were trying to regain independence so they could stay away from Saudi influence.

Hmmm... I'm going to try to find more info on their views.

The Saudis are likely to only push the Houthis back to their original territory. Since Yemen has four main factions, they all sort of balanc each other out. The Saudis likely want that balance returned. And since doing any more than that could lead to a mess for them. Limited objectives, making it a quick operation that meet goals that secure their intrests. I am sure they have learned from the lack of any real goal in the Iraq invasion how not to let themselves be drug into a mess.

And many times during conflcts in Yemen sides just do not show up. It all sort depends on the moods of the tribes.

Sorry for the late reply. Had to jump on a project for a while.

Ok, if the article is true, and the Saudi coalition is targeting Saleh's bases, I can't imagine they'd accept him staying alive or in Yemen after this. And I can't imagine the recently deposed President allowing it either (if he regains the Presidency). Apparently Saleh was given blanket immunity when he stepped down in the Arab Spring, so I'm wondering if this would be discarded if the Saudi side wins. And if so, I can't imagine Saleh just turning himself over to face prosecution and poissibly execution.

If the Saudis get themselves into a position of winning, no doubt he would be sent into exhile and not allowed to return. Although I do not know if they could even manage that because it would likely require a clear victory and the Houthis being in real danger of being crushed. Saudi and Egypts land forces just are not likey up for a job of that size. In the end I think we will see the Houthi driven back and some ceasefire deal, with possible Arab peace keepers staying.

Well put. That's certainly the most sensible outcome.

I can't imagine the Saudi coalition running away & admitting defeat. That would shatter their image as the reliable leader of the anti-Iranian bloc. But I also can't imagine the Yemen population allowing the Saudi coalition to occupy them & dictate their policies. Yemen has a very potent gun culture and either the 2nd or 3rd most guns per person in the world. So the conflict would probably have to end the way you said it, to stop it from becoming a drawn out occupation w/an Iraq-style resistance.