As a coalition of Middle Eastern countries continue to conduct airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the group, led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have announced ground exercises in Saudi territory (Arabic link). Some experts believe that holding the exercise at this time suggests that a ground intervention in Yemen is being considered by the Arab countries participating in the Saudi-led coalition fighting against the Houthis.
However, other experts believe that a ground intervention is not likely and that the exercise has other goals. A former senior officer in the Egyptian army told the newspaper Al-Arab (Arabic link) that the exercise is designed primarily for deterrence and posturing in the face of the enemies of the Arab world, led by Iran.
Egypt, which has sent naval and air forces to assist in Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen, publicly clarified on numerous occasions that it views the security of the Gulf region to be of high strategic importance. (Arabic link)
Iranian hegemony in the Middle East suffered a serious blow following the United Nations’ decision to prohibit the transfer of arms to Shiite Houthi rebels and impose sanctions on leaders in their ranks. According to journalist Mohammad Wadi (Arabic link), the decision has left Tehran isolated and led to defections among the rebels in Yemen.
Hundreds of people have been killed so far since the Arab military operations began against the Houthis, who are trying take over the whole of Yemen after having captured the capital, Sanaa. The airstrikes are trying to block the Houthi progress in capturing the strategic southern city of Aden (Arabic link).
Iran, feeling the pressure of the Arab military campaign, recently presented an initiative (Arabic link) to settle the crisis in Yemen with four main points: ceasefire, humanitarian aid, dialogue between rival factions in Yemen, and the establishment of a broad government.
However, a senior State Department official, Ambassador Gerald Feierstein, dismissed the Iranian plan, telling a House committee earlier this week, “If the Iranians are serious about the peace plan, in the first instance they should stop sending weapons to the Houthis.”
[Photo: ARMYTV / YouTube ]