SAUDI Arabia and regional allies have finally launched a military offensive in Yemen for defending the government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi against the alleged Iranian-backed Houthi movement.

While controlling much of the north, including Sanaa, Houthis have advanced to the southern port city of Aden where Hadi was based after fleeing from house arrest in Sanaa.

By this very sectarian strife, the fear is that Yemen could be torn apart by a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Strategic rivalry for power and influence in the Middle East between Saudi Arabia and Iran bears witness that each side seems ready to draw their proverbial line in the sand.

What happens south of its border is a matter of grave national security as Saudis cannot allow turmoil in Yemen to give Iran a solid foothold on the peninsula or Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula free movement northwards.

Iran’s line in the sand is Iraq and Syria as both these countries serve as buffers between Iran and the rest of the Middle East.

One thing is evident that unfettered Iranian growing clout will likely put Saudi Arabia on the edge of despair by allowing increased Israeli meddling in the region and perhaps this will be the most harmful outcome of this Saudi-Iranian ‘Great Game’.

Saudi Arabia says Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Morocco and Sudan are ready to participate in the Yemen operation.

In accordance with a long-standing agreement that reportedly exists between two countries, Saudis are presumed to be looking for security support from Pakistan and, remember, Pakistan cannot renege from its commitment on the basis of pragmatism — dire economic dynamics.

Ali Abbas

Chakwal

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

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