The government in Yemen needs strong support from its friends in the region and further afield. The Gulf Cooperation Council states, in particular, cannot afford to allow Yemen to drift into becoming a failed state, with armed groups following their own agendas and influencing politics throughout the Arabian Peninsula. There is already far too much violence in the region and the GCC needs to take action to stop Yemen becoming yet another source of endemic unrest and misery.
The Yemeni government has never been particularly effective, but at the moment it is showing signs of cracking under pressure as it faces three serious challenges: the Al Houthi rebellion in the north as traditionalist tribal groups seek to break way from the state; the secessionist movement in the south gaining strength as former South Yemenis express their resentment at the merged state they have lived in since 1990; and from Al Qaida, which wants to show that it can operate with impunity in many parts of Yemen.
The Saudis have announced that they have succeeded in sealing their border with Yemen after some months of fighting, but this is not enough. It is obviously important that the fighting does not spread into Saudi Arabia, but Yemen will need more support inside its borders. Sana'a needs to regain control of the areas dominated by Al Houthis, where government forces have not made much headway. It also appears the Al Houthis are being supported by Iran.
A new embarrassment for the government was created on Tuesday by Al Qaida leaders who were able to address a rally in south Yemen, condemning a recent government air-raid that killed tens of people. The speakers attacked the government as an ally of the US, without any action being taken by the police or armed forces. The government's impotence was made very clear.