In an in-depth analysis in Reuters, Angus McDowall writes that following Saudi Arabia and the GCC’s lack of success in significantly tipping the scales in Yemen with airstrikes, the limited options for Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the war-torn country come with high risks.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman arrives for a summit in Egypt with Yemen’s President Hadi.
With the possibility of a ground operation apparently ruled out, “Riyadh may soon have to face an unpalatable choice: accept the de facto control of its foes over Sanaa and cut a deal, or keep fighting with the risk of Yemen sinking into total chaos, becoming a permanent threat to Saudi security,” McDowall writes.
Meaningful compromises by the Iranian-backed Houthi forces may prove elusive at next week’s UN-backed peace talks. UN chief Ban Ki-moon “called on all parties to enter the talks in good faith and without pre-conditions.”
An airstrike in Yemen by Saudi Arabia’s air force.
Yemen’s recently ousted President Hadi is still the internationally recognized leader of Yemen. His Yemeni Popular Resistance forces, backed by the Saudi-led GCC forces, clashed with Houthis across the country in continued fighting today.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the fighting.
