Yemen Vice Chair Requests US Military Aid Against Houthi Advance
A senior Yemeni official in New York urged the US to provide ground support and intelligence to counter Houthi gains on the Red Sea coast.
Key points
- Yemen's ruling council vice chair requested US military and intelligence support to counter Houthi advances on the Red Sea coast.
- The official emphasized that ground support for government forces is crucial to ending the threat, alongside aerial campaigns.
- The recent Houthi offensive has collapsed the United Nations-brokered truce that was in effect since April 2022.
Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, a vice chair of Yemen's ruling council, called on the United States for military support on Wednesday. Speaking in New York, he sought help to counter a rapid Houthi advance on the Red Sea coast.
The official made these remarks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He emphasized the need for mutual coordination in intelligence and security fields rather than specifying exact forms of aid.
Request for Ground Support
Bawazir stated that aerial campaigns are important but insufficient alone. He argued that supporting government forces on the ground is a guarantor to end the danger posed by the militias.
He declined to say if his government was seeking direct US strikes. Instead, he highlighted the necessity of broader security assistance to stabilize the region according to Al-Monitor.
Regional Conflict Background
Yemen has been in conflict since the Houthis expelled the recognized government in 2014. They seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country's north, triggering a broader regional proxy war.
A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year to support the government. The current Houthi offensive has collapsed the United Nations-brokered truce that took effect in April 2022.
Diplomatic Context in New York
The call for aid came during a high-profile diplomatic gathering in New York City. This setting underscores the international attention on the deteriorating security situation in Yemen.
Observers will watch for the US response to these specific requests. The coming weeks may reveal whether direct military assistance or intelligence sharing will follow.
