Dr Ahmad Abdulmalik
Operation Decisive Storm, which aims to restore Yemen’s legitimate government, began at dawn on March 26, 2015, with Saudi Arabia leading a coalition of ten countries with 185 aircraft, while the United States pledged to provide logistical and intelligence support to the military operations.
The initial operations destroyed the presidential palace, the headquarters of the political bureau of the Houthis and several airports, in addition to several military bases, including the Houthis’ positions in Lahij and Dalea governorates.
This operation is the first of its kind after Operation Desert Storm, which evicted Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991. Several Arab countries agreed on this military option after the Houthis’ coup against President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi.
Millions of Twitter users said that this initiative showed Arab “unity” in the face of Iranian expansion. Some of them said Arabs shouldn’t rely on America in every matter, and urged Turkey to take a similar initiative against Syria.
Decisive Storm started a bit late because the Gulf states wanted to give the Houthis time to study the proposed solutions, but they refused all of them, revolted against the government and brought chaos to Yemen. They also seized the government headquarters and unlawfully arrested ministers and officials.
It is inconceivable that a small group of people seizes control of the country and changes its destiny, especially not with a foreign agenda hostile to Arab nations, seeking to destabilise this region.
This group of people is loyal to Iran, which has been threatening to provide military equipment, intelligence support and military training to the Houthis.
The Houthi coup didn’t aim at reforming the country; it was a barbaric attack. They refused to listen to the Gulf states’ reasonable message of settling matters politically.
Some fear that if Operation Decisive Storm stops before things return to normal, it would create an atmosphere of uncertainty, which would give the Houthis the opportunity to launch a media campaign claiming an ability to withstand attacks; thereby affirming the status quo.
Some argue that ground troops should be used to eliminate all the strongholds of the Houthis so that they don’t raise their heads again, and that the time is right to win the loyalty of tribes to pave the way for a ground operaion.
The advisor in the Saudi Ministry of Defence, Brigadier Ahmed Assiri, stressed that “there is currently no plan for ground operations and air operations will continue until the objectives are achieved, but if necessary, the Saudi forces and their allies will be ready for ground operations to respond to any aggression.”
It is well known that the main objective of Decisive Storm is to restore power to Hadi and his government.
I am surprised by the stance of some human rights organisations, who know that the Houthis have always rejected dialogue and insisted on using force and having their opinion prevail. If we allow any group in any country to denounce the legitimate authority, it will open the doors to disorder and chaos.
After the conclusion of their summit, Arab leaders issued several resolutions related to Yemen, welcoming the military operation, stressing the need to restore security and stability, and addressing Houthi attempts to threaten the security of Arab states.
As usual, some human rights organisations have issued a statement saying that the Arab move to rescue Yemen is against the charter of the Arab League and international law.
The truth is that interfering in Yemen and terrorising its innocent people doesn’t safeguard freedom or help achieve its people’s dreams.
People’s wishes cannot be fulfilled by a minority playing with the destiny of the nation.
We hope Decisive Storm brings solace and peace to grieving Yemen and marks the beginning of substantial changes in the map of the Middle East.
The author is an academic and columnist
