Issues Under Fire: U.S. Backed Saudi Air Strikes Create Opportunities for Al Qaeda in Yemen

Issues Under Fire: U.S. Backed Saudi Air Strikes Create Opportunities for Al Qaeda in Yemen 

As Saudi Arabia pound Houthi rebel positions in Yemen in an effort to recapture overrun territory and reinstall exiled President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power, the United States is backing Saudi's air assault with intel, logistics and munitions. Since Iran has been tagged as supporters of the Houthi rebels, the stage is being set for a classic proxy war between Tehran and Riyadh, with the approval of the United States. 

Having been kicked out of Yemen weeks ago by Houthi rebels, the U.S. was forced close its embassy, evacuate all military and diplomatic personnel and warn any American stragglers to get the hell out dodge ASAP. Since then, the U.S. has been blinded in the region and desperately needed away to get back on the ground before a power vacuum formed. 

Unfortunately, the Saudi led air strikes, fully supported by the U.S. has created the perfect conditions for A.Q. A.P. (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to gain an even stronger foothold in Yemen. Taking advantage of the chaos, A.Q.A.P. is now indirectly assisting the Saudis and the U.S. against the Houthi rebels, as they consider the Shia Houthis to be heretics and under Iranian control.  

After staging a dramatic prison break in Yemen last week, setting top Al Qaeda commander Khaled Saeed Batarfi free along with hundreds more harboring extremist leanings, A.Q.A.P. then placed a kill or capture bounty of $774,000 on the heads of Houthi rebel leader Abdelmalik Bedrudin Al-Houthi and former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah.  

If A.Q.A.P and the Yemeni Houthis are sworn enemies, one has to ask one's self, how did the United States find itself consequentially aligned with its own archenemy. Supporting Saudi air strikes against the Houthi rebels, while closing its eyes to the ground attacks from A.Q.AP. will undoubtedly result in Iran lending a hand, if only marginally. After all, somebody has to confront the resurgent Al Qaeda threat, even if it is the enemy of an enemy.  

To date, the Houthi rebels' stated reason for rising up against exiled President Hadi, was to rid Yemen of corruption and the growing encroachment of Al Qaeda. Until proven otherwise, the Houthis appear to have staked out legitimate and verifiable grievances to support its actions. Thus far, Iran's visible support has been limited to calling for a ceasefire on humanitarian ground, while denying accusations Tehran is providing military assistance. 

Bottom line: Having U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warning Iran to refrain from assisting the rebels in any way seems odd considering the overwhelming complexities of the conflict. In view of the ongoing Iran-P5+1 nuclear negotiations, one would think the United States would have navigated the events unfolding in Yemen a little more tactfully. Podcast Below!