Officials in the Saudi-backed Yemeni south have expressed concern for awhile about a growing separatist movement there. Those separatists are making themselves increasingly felt, attacking a graduation ceremony at the military academy in Aden.
The separatists reportedly objected to the event flying the flag of unified Yemen, instead of the flag of South Yemen, and opened fire on the ceremony. One cadet was killed and two wounded in the salvo.
There has been a growing separatist movement centered around Aden, the historic capital of South Yemen, for years. It is not lost on many that the current division of the country during the Saudi War is very similar to the pre-unification map.
The Saudi-backed government in the south still insists they want full unification of the country under their control, though some of the governments involved in the war, notably the United Arab Emirates, have been hedging their bets in backing the separatists too.
The separatist factions are not insignificant, and could stand as a force in favor of upcoming peace talks, with an eye toward ending the war with the present division remaining in place.
Dividing Yemen back into two countries should have been done long time ago. Unification was forced. It was Bill Clinton project — as unwise and megalomanic as his Balkans adventure. The two would have been happy to part, but US is the one not allowing it. US does not trust Shia population no matter where they live, as Israel is paranoid about the idea of Shia power if ever alligned with Iran. US wants unimpeded control od the Bab Al-Mandeb straights, so no part of Shia dominated population should have foothold on it. Saudi intelligence operative was tasked with organizing Al-Qaeda in Arabian peninsula, to start countering Southern secessionism, or to at least take it over. But as crisis in North overtook events, and Saudi-US puppet Hadi fled the country, Shia North became top issue. Saudi former crown prince, Nayaf, CIA controlled man, reluctantly committed Saudi forces to idiotic war, to restore Hadi — a Southerner — to power in Shia capital, Sana’a. New Crown prince wanted out, but he cannot. If he tried, he would lose control of the South to UAE — translate, US. Now he is pushed to at leadt wrestle port of Hodeida, the only Shia populated port on Red Sea. But the cruelty of this is too much even for tough stomachs of kf EU or UN diplomats, sho want to find an anyisrltic way to commit the crime without being blamed. Now to threaten Saudis more, Israel is toying with the idea to get into Bab Al-Mandeb, to point out to Egypt and Saudi Arabia what can happen to their frade if the Straights are blocked by US/Israel. After which Saudi Arabia claimed control. War has now extended to hit US puddles, like Canada. Taking an ordinary human rights meddling as an excuse, Saudi Arabia hit by trouncing Canada’s economy on many fronts, the biggest one being a cut in wheat purchases. This is Russia’s gain. US is now in three conflicts — Red Sea, PersianGulf and Eastern Mediterranean. It has no allies in any of them. It all boils down to threats. Threats to Turkey for not towing the line, threats to Syria by Israel, threats to Egipt and Saudi Arabia to to tow the line on Yemen, and huge threats to Iraq should they fail to isolate Iran. In fact, US Ambasador delivered the following message to parties that won elections: there are four demands. One, one third of Iraqi oil belongs to US to dispose of as it chooses. Iraq banks go under US control, Iraq cuts all ties to Iran, and disbands paramilitary units that beat ISIS. And — quite coincidentally, ISIS is popping up in Syria and Iraq just to remind both what US and Israel can do. But withouth Saudi money and preachers, ISIS is now no different then various intelligence ooeratjons under Al-Qaeda brand. Still, there are three fronts for US, no allies, and not a single front promising an advantage. Israel’s Richard III style of reasoning creates both the danger — committing an outrageous and cruel act to grab an advantage — and the opportunity. The opportunity will present itself for a powerful response from many of those who would like to see Israel curbed. Curbed by US after backlash hits US interests hard. All we are looking at is tiptoeing, and waitjng for someone’s toes stepping out too far. Israel seems for now to be that probing toe. Not yet ready to stick it quite out. US may not have its back. Not for the lack of desire, but the lack if means. Is US ready to give up Kingdom for a horse?
They never should have been united to begin with.