The media is replete with news on the escalating Yemeni conundrum, which is in the grip of its most severe crisis in years with competing forces fighting to take over control of the country. Underprivileged but strategically significant, the fight for power in Yemen has serious implications for the region as well as the security of the West.
It is a known fact that the main fight is between forces loyal to the former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, and the Houthis, who forced Hadi to flee the capital in February. As a result, security forces have split loyalties, with some units backing Hadi, and others the Houthis and Hadi’s predecessor Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has remained politically powerful.
Apart from the historical background of the Yemeni conflict, and what truly should be a matter of serious concern is that fact that the current crisis in Yemen possesses every potential to innately aggravate regional tensions. The West also stands seriously perturbed by the rapidly aggravating situation in Yemen. The fears of the West have, in fact, increased because of the threat of attacks emanating from the war-torn country as it becomes more unstable.
All said and done, not only the Arab world, but the entire world and the coalition partners including Pakistan, a very close friend of Saudi Arabia must immediately put their heads together and sincerely attempt to find a diplomatic solution to the present crisis in Yemen. Pakistan, it is believed, has committed to Saudi Arabia of agreeing to full military support as solicited by it. Unambiguously, the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia has been an all-weather friend of Pakistan. It has always wholeheartedly supported Pakistan during its difficult times. Naturally, Pakistan must reciprocate by standing behind Saudi Arabia in times of its need. However, before deciding its level and mode of support to Saudi Arabia in its war against Yemen, the government of Pakistan must not only take both houses of the Parliament of the country into confidence, but every segment of the society that could facilitate in building a consensus in the matter.
— The reader is a Pakistani based in Islamabad, Pakistan
