For every political or military action there are economic repercussions that are no less important in the effects they impose even years after the end of military operations. The coalition in Yemen falls within this parameter, and expected to create a more balanced and stable reality in the Arab region.
In recent decades, Yemen witnessed the flow of sizable foreign investments, especially from the Gulf countries. These contributed to the establishment of many projects and created employment for thousands. The Marib Dam, commissioned by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is testimony to the importance of projects set up by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Gulf countries.
Investments made by the Gulf states make up more than 90 per cent of total foreign funding in Yemen and amount to in excess of $7 billion (Dh26 billion). These are directed towards construction and development, and in particular the establishing of necessary infrastructure needed for growing Yemen’s economy.
Lately, Iran started pumping funds into Yemen, but in a completely different direction. Its investments were not allocated to the construction of dams, schools, hospitals and factories; instead, they financed the arming of militias to play a destructive role on all that has been built over many years. This has led to soaring levels of unemployment and creating a dire situation.
As a result, Yemen’s economy has lost a great deal of its components through wanton destruction wrought by the Iranian-backed militias. More seriously, the destruction through the funding of terrorist organizations has slowly approached the borders of the GCC countries.
The Gulf states have made tremendous efforts over the past five decades to develop their economies and raise living standards, whether for its own citizens or expatriate residents, including Yemenis who account for more than two million.
Hence, there was no option but to stop Iran and its sectarian regime’s funding of rampant vandalism flowing out beyond Yemen.
This will assist the Yemeni people to place their economy back on the social and economic development track by ending the tyranny of manipulative militias, enforce the rule of law, and offering new investments to assist the economy’s progress.
We do not say this lightly, but wherever Iran intervenes we find economies ruined and destruction, including in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and, finally, Yemen.
These countries are failed states caused by the Wilayat Al Faqih system - a post Age-of-Occultation theory in Shia Islam which holds that Islam gives a faqih (Islamic jurist) custodianship over the people.
Sectarian tendency
In contrast let us imagine these countries without Iranian funding and intervention. Lebanon could have been the Switzerland of the East, and Iraq with its oil wealth would have no less progress than what you see in the Gulf.
Hence, we can see the difference between those who help to build and others who intervene for the sake of destruction; truly, there is great difference between the two.
“Operation Storm of Resolve” was launched to put an end to economic destruction and the manipulation of the destiny and wealth of the region in pursuit of chauvinistic aims to establish the Persian Empire with its capital in Baghdad.
This was announced by the Iranian President’s adviser publicly to exploit the obnoxious sectarian tendency that the region’s people are not accustomed to, as these people have coexisted for many years in peace before Khomeini’s revolution and the establishment of the Wali Al Faqih system. After Operation Storm of Resolve completes its targets, security and peace will prevail again in Yemen, although it will certainly take time.
However, during the foreseeable future, large Gulf investments are expected to flow into Yemen, and geared towards construction, the establishment of development projects, and providing jobs.
We hope this process will prevail in other Arab countries dominated by Iran, such as Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, so they may join the march of development and stability after the removal of this mess that seek dominion, armaments and shows hostility towards economic and social progress.
The writer is a specialist on economic and social development in the UAE and the Gulf.
