INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN- For nearly a decade, Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating conflict, with Ansarallah emerging as a formidable force against both
the Saudi-led coalition and, more recently, the United States
Despite relentless airstrikes and a crippling blockade, Ansarallah has not only maintained control over significant portions of the country
but have demonstrated an increasing ability to strike back, reshaping regional dynamics.In March 2015, Saudi Arabia, leading a coalition of
nine countries, launched a military intervention in Yemen with the primary objective of reversing the Ansarallah takeover of Sana'a and
restoring the government of President Hadi
Codenamed "Operation Decisive Storm," the intervention initially consisted of airstrikes on Ansarallah and a full blockade
Despite claims of achieving its initial goals, the Saudi-led coalition's intervention unequivocally failed to dislodge Ansarallah from
power.The intervention, marred by strategic miscalculations and structural weaknesses, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, leading
to widespread civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction
Ansarallah, adept at asymmetric warfare, exploited Saudi missteps, expanding their reach and launching attacks deep into Saudi territory.The
conflict devolved into a military stalemate, draining Saudi resources and exposing vulnerabilities in the kingdom's military
The goal was to counter Ansarallah, which has been targeting ships to and from Israel in response to its genocidal acts against the people
in the Palestinian coastal strip of Gaza.However, the United States has claimed it wants to secure Red Sea shipping lanes and degrade
complexities of the conflict.The heavy civilian toll from United States airstrikes further fueled resentment and undermined the legitimacy
By escalating military action without a political strategy, Washington risked drawing the region into broader instability.Ansarallah uses
especially in the north, and their ability to exploit internal divisions within the anti-Ansarallah coalition have further strengthened
their position.These factors have enabled them to not only survive but also expand their influence.The cost of endless warThe financial cost
of the campaign has been staggering: nearly $1 billion spent in just over three weeks, not including the ongoing expenses of Operation
Prosperity Guardian, which costs an estimated $600 million per month.The deployment of expensive assets, such as B-2 bombers and aircraft
carriers, and the loss of high-value drones highlight the unsustainable nature of the air raid campaign.Meanwhile, Ansarallah has adapted,
using fortified bunkers and underground stockpiles to withstand strikes and continue attacks, even targeting United States
warships.Strategic parallels with Iraq and AfghanistanThe failures in Yemen bear a striking resemblance to past United States engagements
In both cases, the United States prioritized military solutions over political negotiation, underestimated local insurgencies, and ignored
complex socio-political realities
The result was prolonged conflict, rising anti-American sentiment, and weakened United States credibility abroad.In a debate called
as if Trump and his inner circle were playing some kind of video game
It showed how there is no seriousness in dealing with the Yemen question, or really with Yemen in general
We saw that with the Saudi-led coalition, too
When they entered Yemen, they thought that in six weeks they could finish the job and leave
And now we see an unrealistic approach in dealing with such a huge geopolitical issue, with the Houthis just being discussed this way on a
group chat.It was really a testimony to the recklessness and disregard for the significance of the situation in Yemen
Without a political solution to what's happening in Yemen and the Red Sea, without a political solution based on negotiation, a military
posture.As in Afghanistan, the United States risks entrenching itself in a costly, unwinnable conflict that fails to achieve strategic
Unless Washington embraces a Yemeni-led political solution that prioritizes diplomacy over bombs, Yemen may become another symbol of
American overreach and miscalculation.
This article first appeared/also appeared in Tehran Times
