Yemen operation not to affect Pakistan’s capabilities, says US
64
WASHINGTON: The United States has said it does not believe joining the Saudi-led alliance in Yemen would adversely affect Pakistan’s ability to fight extremists at home.
At a recent briefing in Washington, US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf also said that Al Qaeda’s decision to dissolve the central organisation would not complicate the fight against terrorism.
Asked if she believed that joining Saudi Arabia in the fight in Yemen would affect Pakistan’s capabilities to deal with terrorists at home, she said: “I don’t.”
But she did not elaborate her response and said that she would prefer to keep her answer short.
Last week, Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri announced he was going to dissolve the organisation and would have each group function as an autonomous body.
Asked if that would further complicate the situation for the United States, especially in Yemen, Ms Harf said: “For all intents and purposes, many of Al Qaeda’s affiliates are already acting very independently.”
Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2015
On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (64) Closed
Apr 07, 2015 06:55am
Hehe Pakistan will now join the war at the earliest... Come what may.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 07:03am
Surprising there is hardly any talk of legality of Saudi venture. Does it need UN approval? Could it be termed a war crime? US, obviously ignores such " trivialities" when it serves it's interest.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 07:03am
Americans now also want Pakistan to fight the Houthis. We must resist Saudi-American pressure.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 07:04am
Waah! At the right time our another master trying to justify us fighting someones war. I think we are trapped between axis of evil.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 07:07am
we know it's effects better, you need not tell us.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 07:42am
Pakistan should disregard such comments from people who through out history have lied to the world and their own people.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 07:43am
How can America be the judge of that? This is further proof of the great-game to indulge Pakistan into a battle. A situation for which India and others were waiting for. Pakistan must not open another front specially at this critical time
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 07:57am
No more wars and killing please!
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 08:04am
now we know where the orders are coming from. I am sure it has already been decided that Pakistan army will take part in Yemen operation but the government wants a smoke screen so that the gullible people of Pakistan think that it was a well thought out move.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 08:21am
Even US recognizes the status and power of Pakistan army and its ability to fight multiple conflicts simultaneously without any impact to its capabilities , Pakistan is the most powerful nation in Asia next only to China and global military powerhouse.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 08:22am
It is very much clear now that it is not only SA who wants us to involve in this mess, there is a bug push from USA too. No sensible administration will involve itself into this fight.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 08:26am
The USA wants to convert the Yemen civil war into a wider Shia Sunni conflagration. The entire undemocratic monarchies of the Persia Gulf are on one side. Presently democratic Pakistan is being pressurized against its interests to join the aggressors. It seems UN and similar organizations are all dead in front of US clout. Europeans are non existent for all purposes. Pakistan should finally do only what is in its interest.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 08:33am
And still we fail to understand the trap for Pakistan!
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 08:34am
It's Pakistan's personal choice and internal affair to decide. US representatives and US Govt has no right to comment regarding that what Pakistan should do in Yemen conflict and whether Pakistan's participation would affect war against terrorism at home or not. After all those were Pakistani who are dying in last three decades not Americans hence Pakistan can see better than them. Pakistan lost 50,000 people in US orchestrated proxy Afghanistan war. That is enough for Pakistan. US should not try to drag Pakistan once again. Those were Pakistani children killed in APS massacre not American hence we can see better where our forces are truly needed. US does not have any pain of them and still trying to push us in another hell.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 08:56am
US should not try to influence Pakistan's cabinet decision exactly as we don't interfere when their upper house is deciding. This comment is extremely unjust and interference in Pakistan's right of free will.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:02am
What nonsense. Getting involved in Yemen, a foreign conflict will be the biggest mistake Pakistan can possibly make!
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:03am
Divide and rule.
Do no jump into the fire
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:13am
Wise decision, now Israel is helpless and easy target for the Muslim neighbors.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:18am
World is now acknowledging status of Pakistan as greatest military power world has ever seen until now.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:28am
From Dawn of February 26, 2015
#COAS:"Repeated Indian CF violations on WB/LOC in recent past, distraction for Pak from campaign vs terrorism,affects regional stability"
Link - http://www.dawn.com/news/1166082
So minor firing at LOC is a distraction for Pak Army, and participating in a war is not?
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:38am
That would be for Pakistan to decide.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:38am
why they keeping poking their nose in others matters?
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:51am
Its a trap! Beware Pakistan!
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:51am
So, the US knows more about Pakistan Army and its resources rather than the Pakistani Army itself?
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 09:53am
Please, dont bring new war to my homeland.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:07am
Yes, US wants us to join the fight, like they wanted us to join the Afghan war. Of course they'd say its the best thing for Pakistan. US and the Saudis will throw money at our corrupt, inept, and weak 'leaders' and Pakistan will be part of another great mess that the nation will suffer through for decades to come.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:09am
How about sending American troops to Yemen? After all this mess is orchestrated and set up by none other than the Americans and the Saudis
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:09am
Pakistan, one of your benefactors the US of A has given you permission to attack Yemen. The second benefactor has invited you to attack Yemen. So what is the Parliament debating. Just go for it and get stuck in Yemen.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:11am
Ofcourse they don't.. Its not their house that is burning..
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:17am
I dont think we should take the US advice. Its obvious they would like us to attack Yemen. We should not commit our forces outside the border.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:24am
Problem is that ISIS has reached Afghanistan and Pakistan might really need to seal off the border for good. Otherwise Pakistan's own survival will be endangered. Whole nation is wondering what Pakistan Army is doing about ISIS threat?
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:40am
The US also believed helping funnel arms and training to a barbarian militia in Afghanistan would not affect Pakistan. The US doesn't have very high standards of "belief" when it comes to other people's skin.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:50am
Sorry we don't want to participate other affairs and if you have so much concern then through your own solders in Yemen.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 10:52am
anything is safe as long as it doesn't affect America 's own territorial integrity and security...pathetic
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:08am
Then why does the US not put boots on the ground in Yemen just like it did in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa? After all it is the US interest that the Saudis and the Arabs are protecting.
Let the people of Pakistan decide what is good for it. You have had your say for too long through weak and corrupt rulers of this country.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:10am
The US wants to keep limits around Iran to save Israel she said
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:17am
@saz As if you can decide their upper lower middle house.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:23am
She didn't elaborate regarding Pakistan's participation in saudi led war as to how the latter is not going to be affected. The use of the word "adversely" by her explicitly indicates that Pakistan will of course suffer if joined Saudi-led coalition. They are playing double standards policy. Overtly they make us believe that they are with us but covertly divide and rule policy is being pursued. Wake up Muslims
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:28am
Pakistan should decrease the Shia Sunni divide rather than becoming a partner to one. As far is KSA is concerned we should only defend the holy cities not the monarchy there.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:35am
In the first place the US State Deptt's spokesperson should have avoided answering this question "as it is internal matter" of Pakistan. However, now that her answer is on record Pakistan should issue a counter statement and term it as open interference in our affairs. At a time when the session of parliaments is in progress the US State Deptt answer can easily be termed as an effort to influence the ongoing discussion.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:37am
"I want to keep my answer short ", is a typical way to say " Uttho mat, betho" which could be interpreted as " Uttho, mat betho".
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:37am
Why doesnt US mind it's own business and let Pakistan decide for is good for itself. Can't they see the current state of Pakistan ( terrorism) even before getting involved in someone elses's war.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:46am
Yemen is not our business, we must stay out of this.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:47am
Don't listen to them. They have their interest to involve Pakistan as always.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:47am
@LAFANGA World is now acknowledging that this country is very easy to be played with. After Sunni insurgents due to anti-Taliban policy, now you want Shias also. This naive blonde borne yesterday, is acting like Plato of our internal affairs."Not effect Pakistan"???
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:52am
USA needs to mind its own business. Pakistan will give moral support for Yemen debacle. No boots on ground. America should fight its own war.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:59am
Sharif should stay of Yemen!
Would Sharif and Zaradri send their sons to Yemen!
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 12:08pm
This high-value analysis comes from a country that thought it could invade and occupy Afghanistan and then Iraq, but is now being chased out of both. I hope Islamabad follows the increasing global trend and simply ignores the judgement of these mindless, war-mongering americans.
Hasan
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 12:11pm
US nudging us towards Yemen? Another reason not to go there
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 01:11pm
@saz right of free will lol,beggers cant be choosers.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 01:12pm
the cat has finally come out of the bag
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 01:35pm
Now after such an official statement, it is clear that Pakistan would be right not to join the war, unless it comes to Saudi integrity.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 01:40pm
Why what the spokes person thinks should even be important for a sovereign pakistan
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 01:46pm
How strange, can we guess something out it? We see Americans more than eager to drag Pakistan into this war led by Saudis.What would be the fallout and repercussions must be appeasing to US.Why not US itself send its troops to fight with Saudis against Yemen.Smelling a rat here is abundantly obvious and if still we are unable to act likewise, we are really living in fools paradise.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 01:57pm
Pakistan should not join in aggression. US wants a localized civil war in Yemen to be upgraded into a Shia Sunni war of attrition. Pakistan should only facilitate peace as a mediator along with Turkey and also Iran. Pakistan could also send troops and materials only for defensive purposes within Saudi soil in consultation with Iran.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 02:06pm
Yeah they are convincing everyone what acctually they want..
DIVIDE AND RULE
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 02:22pm
Can the public servants i.e. The elected PM and the much esteemed ARmy chief and ISI chief comment on why the USA feels they are in a better position to comment about our military capabilities?
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 02:31pm
Why not USA join the Saudi led coilation, it will defenately not affect their capabilities. Our soldiers have big task to do at home. No more blood please.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 02:46pm
All is clear now. Its the US, Saudi and India nexus who wants us to war. We should stay clear of this venture and not fall into this trap.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 03:05pm
Who are they to comment on matters which doesn't even relate to them?
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 04:42pm
US wants Pakistan to join the Yemen war so Pakistan drains it resources and is forced to beg for more alms!
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 07:41pm
A very strange and highly objectionable statement from a country which out of sheer habit likes to poke its nose. I am amazed at the concealed desire and message for Nawaz Sharif.
Recommend
0
Apr 07, 2015 11:51pm
@Jason Well said. Yes it seems US keeps an eye on military and political situation of other countries. What else they do!!!!
Recommend
0
Apr 08, 2015 10:44am
@Zak ha ha ha ha ha very true ha ha..
Recommend
0
