Mullen: No Plans to Send Troops to Yemen

US Poised to Increase Training and Weapon Aid, No Ground Troops Yet

Speaking today at the Naval War College, Admiral Michael Mullen insisted that the United States has “no plans” to send ground troops into Yemen in response to the failed Christmas underwear bomber.

They’ve been pretty clear about the support that they want and what they don’t want,” Admiral Mullen noted, praising Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s judgement as his nation fights several civil wars as well as contends with a growing al-Qaeda presence.

The US has launched missile attacks against targets in Yemen, and President Obama has said he will “accelerate” military support in the nation, which Yemeni officials confirmed includes not just training and intelligence, but direct weapons transfers to the government.

Still, many Congressmen are hankering for a full-fledged war in the wake of the lap bomber scandal, and as the clashes in Yemen continue to worsen the political pressure to start yet another war will likely continue to grow.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.