President Biden will announce an end to US support for Saudi Arabia’s offensive operations in Yemen during a foreign policy speech on Thursday afternoon, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
Sullivan said President Biden “is going to announce an end to American support for offensive operations in Yemen. That is a promise he made on the campaign that he will be following through on. But he will go further than that, he will talk about the US taking a more active and engaged role in the diplomacy to bring an end to the conflict in Yemen, and that will include the naming of a special envoy.”
Biden is expected to name Timothy Lenderking, a veteran diplomat, as US envoy to Yemen who will work to end the conflict between the Saudis and the Houthis. The president will make the announcements as part of a broader foreign policy speech.
While announcing Biden’s plan, Sullivan said it would not include US operations against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). “It does not extend to actions against AQAP,” he said. “It extends to the types of offensive operations that have perpetuated a civil war in Yemen that has led to a humanitarian crisis.”
Framing the move as an end to support for “offensive” operations could give the US some wiggle room to continue some support for the Saudi-led coalition. And since the coalition is more capable now than it was in 2015, when the Obama administration first backed the Saudis in Yemen, operations could still continue.
Last week, the administration halted planned arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, although US officials framed it as a standard procedure for a new administration. Biden has yet to reverse the terror designation of Yemen’s Houthis, although the US did allow transactions with the group to continue through February 26th. The UN is still calling for a full reversal of the designation, warning of the mass famine it will cause.
Hypocrisy all around. Not just US government, that is a major stakeholder in Yemen conflict , but American public, pretending US has nothing to do with the conflict.
I doubt either Houthis or Saudis will want this “mediation”, which has only one purpose. Gain US foothold on Arabian side of Bab Al Mandeb Straits. And then have a complete control of navigation through straits that connects Europe to Asia in the same manner Suez Canal does. Egypt already built parallel canal expanding the capacity.
But should US get control at any point along Arabian coast — from Mukalla in the South, Aden in the middle. and Hodeidah in the north — it can block Saudi and Sudanese oil exports, as well as Egyptian Suez channel, and all Europe and Asia shipping.
For many — this chokepoint is a lifeline.
But North Yemen is part of picture, unresolved issues between Saudi supported “government” and Southern secessionists — are just as important. This is where non-existent AQAP comes in — our ability to intervene in secessionist affairs, help some, destroy others, and vice versa — depending on who displeases us.
Houthis will take mediations, as we are controlling food that comes through Hodeida and pathetic UN mission that throttles the food every now and then. Saudis will participate in order to get control of Aden and Hodeidah, and have a say in Southern secessionists affairs. Basically to prevent US placing any bases anywhere along the coast that controls the Straits.
Sudan is fortifying its claims, giving Russia its naval base that is allowed to house nuclear submarines. China has the base in Djibouti.
Biden wants to squeeze Saudi Arabia. But this may just give it an excuse to distance from US and cut deals with Houthis and/or Southern Secessionists.