It is important that progress continues in re-establishing law and order in south Yemen, even if fighting continues in the north of the country. The Saudi-led coalition, with active UAE participation, has been instrumental in driving out the terrorists from the southern parts of Yemen, while at the same time, the UAE in particular has also made substantial efforts to rebuild necessary infrastructure, schools and hospitals and re-establish normal life for the people after years of chaos and Al Qaida domination.
Last week, in Hadramout, Yemeni troops loyal to President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi killed at least 30 suspected Al Qaida militants in a single day, resulting from a raid backed by coalition air forces. This was the largest Al Qaida loss in many months and was a significant blow to any lingering hold the terror group has on the region. The militants have been moderately active under the regime of ousted former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, but took full advantage of the civil war that began last year to seize large parts of south Yemen, including the important port of Mukalla, before army and coalition forces drove the terrorists out.
The ongoing fighting in south Yemen is in stark contrast to the raging war in the north, where Al Houthi rebels continue to hold out against the government with the support of Saleh and their international backers in Iran. That struggle has caused hundreds of thousands to flee their homes and many more to suffer starvation and severe deprivation. There are large pockets where people are trapped in months-long sieges. Yemen needs a way forward and the slow but successful restoration of good governance in the south is a significant pointer for the north.
