Coalition doesn’t want Yemen to become ‘another Libya’

RIYADH: Major combat in Yemen is nearing an end, but the country will need long-term support from the Saudi-led coalition to secure its institutions, the coalition spokesman said on Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Ahmed Al-Assiri also told AFP in an interview that fighting has essentially stopped along the border, where demining has begun in an effort to assist aid flows. “Today we are at the end of the major combat phase,” which must be followed by security stabilization and finally reconstruction.
He said the Saudi-led coalition had learnt from the US, which pulled combat troops from Iraq and Afghanistan before the countries were stable.
Nor does the coalition want to follow the example of Libya, where Western forces helped topple dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011 and then left it to slide into chaos.
“We don’t want Yemen to become another Libya, so we have to support the government, go with them step by step until they bring peace and security and stability for the people,” Al-Assiri said. He said that in areas retaken from rebels, fighters get training and equipment to join Yemen’s army, “but it takes time.”
Al-Assiri said the border was essentially calm since a mediation effort by tribal leaders last week allowed aid to start moving into Yemen at the Alb crossing in Dhahran Al-Janoub, northeast of Jazan city.
Meanwhile, a missile launched from Yemen landed in Al-Tuwal in Jazan injuring a resident, according to the Civil Defense. Saudi land forces responded by opening fire on the spot from where the missile emanated. Apache helicopters also continued to bomb areas used by Houthi militants, press reports said.

— With input from Mohammed Al-Sulami