The stance of Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, the former Prime Minister of Yemen and advisor to the President of this country, reflects deep concerns about the future of Western security in light of the ongoing conflicts in Yemen. He emphasized the need to maintain control over the strategic city of Taiz and warned of the consequences of its fall to the Houthis.
Warning About the Fall of Taiz
Abdulmalik Saeed stated that if the city of Taiz falls into the hands of the Houthis, control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea and access to Aden, where the UN-recognized government is based, will be lost. He added that the Houthis are seeking to expand Iran's influence in Yemen and have full control of the country on their agenda.
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This Yemeni official called for greater Western support for the Yemeni government and pointed to the lack of coordination among government forces and rivalries among Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He emphasized that the lack of preparedness against threats posed by new technologies, including drones, has added to the pressures on the Yemeni government.
Challenges Facing the Yemeni Government
Abdulmalik Saeed noted that government forces are only equipped with light weapons and that the Saudis have not yet planned to counter this escalation of conflict. He believes that if the Houthis take control of Taiz, it will have negative consequences for all of Yemen and also for Western security.
Saeed, referring to recent developments, said: "The battle for Taiz is not just a battle for Taiz, but a war that encompasses the entire Western world. The Houthis know that controlling Taiz means controlling the strait and the strategic areas around it. If Taiz is lost, access to the strait will be lost, and other regions will also be affected. The Houthis' plan is complete control of Yemen."
Currently, Taiz has become a new front in the war between the Houthis and the Yemeni government forces. This comes as the Houthis have recently launched a military campaign to seize the Red Sea coasts, which has harmed the prevailing morale in Yemen.
Saeed also pointed to the complex situation of the Houthis, who, despite heavy casualties, are always looking to seize any opportunity to expand their influence. He predicted that in the near future, the Houthis will attempt to take full control of the city of Taiz, which could lead to a complete siege.
In conclusion, Saeed emphasized the importance of cooperation among government forces and the need for greater coordination, calling for serious international attention to the situation in Yemen.
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