17, July 2015 Yemen
The U.S. backed Saudi offensive against
Houthi rebels has caused widespread chaos. A Saudi naval blockade cutting off
food and fuel supplies has precipitated widespread famine. 80 percent of Yemen’s 25 million are in dire
need of humanitarian aid and more than one million have fled their homes. Yemen
is one of the most impoverished nations in the world with over 90 percent of
its food imported. The Saudi-led coalition’s (UAE,
Bahrain, Morocco and Jordan) indiscriminate bombing has intensified rage
against the Saudis and the U.S. and boosted support for the Houthi rebels. The current conflict is less to do with
Yemen who are innocent victims of a regional proxy war. Yemen’s fate was sealed under the highly
corrupt, oppressive rule of US backed - former President Saleh and his regime.
In 2011, under US pressure, Saleh’s regime gained unprecedented blanket
immunity for past war crimes. Prior to the recent hostilities, Yemen was
perceived to be the "successful" Arab Spring model. Many of the
regional powers have been guilty of committing the most egregious crimes, the
Yemini government in exile, the Saudis and their coalition partners, the
Houthis and the US which provides the Saudis with billion in weapons. including
outlawed cluster bombs, and logistical intelligence. The ‘terror in the skies’
hovering over Yemen - US drone strikes - has intensified anger towards the
US. The drone strikes are the face of
America to most Yeminis.
No comments:
Post a Comment