US in talks with Gulf allies to take action against Yemen: Bloomberg
3 Min Read
Yemen's support to Palestine has sparked a state of disarray among the US and its allies who are yet to respond to the Yemeni Armed Forces' operations in the Red Sea.
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US Marines walk down a removable Trident Pier leading to an American ship docked near an Emirati military base home to a Military Operations and Urban Terrain facility in al-Hamra, United Arab Emirates, March 23, 2020. (AP)
The US is consulting with other Gulf countries about "potential military action" against Yemenis, in response to the Yemeni Armed Forces' continued operations on Israeli assets in the Red Sea, Bloomberg News reported, citing sources informed on the matter.
Reportedly, the talks are at the initial stages, Bloomberg News said, adding that the US and its allies are still in favor of diplomacy rather than aggression on Yemen.
It is worth noting that the Yemeni Armed Forces and the Sanaa government have reiterated, on multiple occasions, the fact that their actions in the Red Sea will only target Israeli-affiliated vessels.
According to US National Security Advisor Jon Finer, Washington has "not ruled out the possibility of taking military action" against Yemen. This was also relayed by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to his Saudi counterpart Khalid bin Salman, according to Bloomberg News.
The US is also assembling a maritime coalition "with as much buy-in from as many countries as possible" that could escort ships in the Red Sea.
Moreover, the news outlet said the US Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking responded to emailed questions, saying he was back in the Middle East "to continue intensive US diplomacy and regional coordination to safeguard maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden."
Read more: Sanaa says any US escalation against Yemen declaration of war
Saudis, Emiratis doubt US assertions
However, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates doubt the Biden administration's resolve to take military action against Yemenis, as it is faced with multiple crises, according to Bloomberg.
Riyadh also has to take into account ongoing talks with the Sanaa government, which if successful, would see an end to its 9-year-long war on neighboring Yemen.
Yemen steadfast in support for Gaza
The Yemeni people have organized weekly mass protests in support of the Palestinian people and their Resistance. Importantly, the government in Sanaa and the Yemeni Armed Forces have responded to their people's call to action and to the instructions of Ansar Allah leader, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.
In fact, the Yemeni Armed Forces have launched multiple attacks on Israeli targets in occupied Palestine and have adopted three attacks on Israeli-affiliated ships, including the seizure of the Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea.
Yemen's attacks have had ground-shaking effects on "Israel", as the world's second-largest shipping company, A.P. Moller-Maersk, announced that it will start imposing a new risk surcharge on container shipments heading to "Israel" starting next year, citing the need to cover rising insurance premiums due to the unstable security situation.
The Yemeni Armed Forces have promised to continue their operations against "Israel" until it stops its aggression against the Gaza Strip.
Read more: Yemeni, Iraqi factions ready to escalate as truce comes to an end
