It has been almost one month, coalition of Arab Gulf's states led by Saudi Arabia launched a series of massive air strikes to Yemen. The coalition consists of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan (they all are Arabian Gulf countries, minus Oman plus Jordan). Six countries are all royal state and wealthy, except Jordan. Four other countries are Morocco -- a country that is far from the 'arena' -- Egypt, Sudan, and Pakistan as the only non-Arab country.
They call the operation "the Saudi Asifat al-Hazm" / Operation al-Hazm Storm (more or less means firmness or decisive storm). The scale military operation is enormous, which is nearly two hundred super expensive fighter aircraft involved in this operation. The goal is Houthi armed group and military supporters of Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemeni president who has been overthrown.
The attack was targeting Houthi force bases in Yemen, both in Sana'a, Aden, and some other southern regions, as well as in North Yemen which was directly adjacent to Saudi Arabia, especially in Sa'dah, the traditional base of Houtsi shitees. Saudi Arabia ground forces also engaged in combat in Yemen border.
Why Saudi Arabia does not want to stop attacking Yemen, whereas there have been many casualties? Almost 1000 people have been killed, including dozens of innocent children. Social rift becomes a serious disaster. Yemen is feared to be trapped into a very long war in large scale such as in Syria. However, it has been around for more than two weeks, Saudi Arabia and its coalition even add their power to destroy Houthis in Yemen, including by sending massive arms to the tribes supporters of President Hadi. They seem to go all out to prepare for the war in long-term. In fact, based on a habit that occurs during this time, Saudi Arabia usually provides large-scale financial support to the power group in a country, to face a group backed by Iran. They shouted loudly to urge major countries to undertake military action through the Arab League or the UN. To be sure, Saudi Arabia rarely directly involved in the war. Now, this kingdom engages directly with full strength and is leading a "war" on a large scale.
Saudi Arabia is really aware of its position that has been so squeezed by the power and influence of Iran. Understandably, contestation and conflict between the two countries is the core of various conflicts in Middle East recently. Since the 1980s, Iran is seen as a serious threat to the country. Even since the 1990s, Saudi Arabia considers Iran as number one enemy. Israel is no longer considered as a source of threat in the region. On the northern border -- in Iraq -- the struggle for influence between the two countries is clearly won by Iran.
Massive support given by Saudi Arabia to Sunni groups in the country does not bring results as expected. Even Saudi Arabia initially felt to be siding with the group which now is called ISIS. This is because Saudi Arabia is so antipathy with Iran's influence in the country. Meanwhile, the main enemy of ISIS at first is Shiites in Iraq and Iran. Iraq now for Saudi Arabia is like is a source of threat, because Iran's influence is so strong in the country. Riots in the war against ISIS in recent times can't shift the situation, even the role and influence of Iran in Iraq is getting stronger. Meanwhile, in the Persian sea border, Bahrain position also is not favorable to the interests of Saudi Arabia.
This Shiite-majority country with Sunni ruler also experienced great upheaval to bring down the regime. Saudi Arabia directly involved in efforts to curb the people's protests by sending troops. Although, so far, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have quite managed to reduce the turmoil, but Bahrain can still be a source of threat which can explode at any moment, because Iranian position that is so close and widely popular among Bahrain people.
Meanwhile, in the South region, Saudi Arabia failed to maintain its influence in Yemen. In contrast, Iran managed to build its nails by supporting Houthis strength. Houthi group's aggressiveness last few months was incredible. At the beginning of the air operation was launched by Saudi Arabia, these armed groups were preparing to seize Aden, Yemen's second city that became the basis of Yemen's ousted president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
Saudi Arabia seems "can't stand it anymore" with Middle East development which is increasingly siding with Iran. Moreover, after Iran with 5 + 1 have reached a peace agreement in the framework of the nuclear issue, then Saudi Arabia position increasingly pressured. Therefore, it has become common knowledge if Saudi Arabia is an important supporter of Israeli's air offensive effort against Iran's nuclear arsenal which so far has not been able to do. The continued attacks on Yemen, indirectly is Saudi Arabia response to the peace agreement between the West and Iran. Saudi Arabia also continues to build up its military strength in 'extreme' during the last four years: a military force that is built on top of a pile of "money" smell of oil, not on a strong military tradition.
The threat to Saudi Arabia is so great if Yemen is fully in Shia's control. Yemen has long direct border with Saudi Arabia. Incidentally, the group's power base is located right on Saudi Arabia border. Therefore, Saudi Arabia feels it must pull back Yemen into its orbit, by all means and at any price.
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Readings
► CNN 26 March 2015 : Why is Saudi Arabia bombing Yemen?
► AL MONITOR 31 March 2015 : Why did Israel side with Saudi Arabia on Yemen?
► WAPO 18 April 2015 : Top Yemen scholars in the West condemn Saudi Arabia's war
► PRESS TV 19 April 2015 : US directing Saudi attacks on Yemen: Houthi leader
► WAPO 26 March 2015 : What Saudi Arabia's bombing of Yemen means for the Middle East
► WAPO 18 April 2015 : Top Yemen scholars in the West condemn Saudi Arabia's war
► PRESS TV 27 March 2015 : Saudi Arabia puppet of US, Israel: Houthi leader
► ECONOMIST 28 March 2015 : Riyadh enters the fray. Saudi Arabia starts bombing its southern neighbour
► ICRC ( International Committee of the Red Cross) 4 April 2015 : Yemen: Immediate 24-hour humanitarian pause needed to bring in medical help
► NY TIMES 2 April 2015 : Saudi Leaders Have High Hopes for Yemen Airstrikes, but Houthi Attacks Continue
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[CZ-lacalifusa]
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