The United States must keep Yemen whole – opinion
Preserving Yemen’s territorial integrity would also strengthen national identity while allowing communities to govern their own affairs.
World Israel News 3:40 PM
By Eric Navarro, Middle East Forum
Yemen’s post-Houthi future demands urgent attention as U.S. operations weaken Houthi capabilities. Yemen’s history reveals persistent divisions. From the late 20th century, North and South Yemen operated separately until their 1990 unification under President Ali Abdullah Saleh. However, Saleh’s coercive tactics and marginalization of Southerners fueled resentment, culminating in a failed 1994 southern secession and civil war. These rifts persisted, undermining national unity.
The 2011 Arab Spring ousted Saleh but brought no reform, creating a power vacuum. Iran-backed Houthis seized Sana’a in 2014, sparking a regional proxy war involving Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran. Over a decade of conflict has left Yemen’s institutions in tatters, with recent U.S. and Israeli strikes decimating Houthi missile arsenals.
Two paths emerge for Yemen’s future: partition or decentralization. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council pushes for southern independence, citing historical precedent and simpler governance. Partition could streamline aid distribution but risks border disputes over resource-rich regions like Marib and Shabwah. It may also spur further fragmentation, as other groups seek autonomy, potentially destabilizing the region. A partitioned Yemen could even allow Houthis to dominate a northern statelet, sustaining their influence.
Decentralization offers a more stable alternative, aligning with Yemen’s tribal and regional dynamics. By shifting power to local leaders, it reduces conflict over central authority, fosters equitable resource distribution, and supports effective governance. This approach preserves Yemen’s territorial integrity, strengthens national identity, and curbs Iran’s influence in the north. Critics argue Yemen’s weak institutions and armed factions hinder decentralization, but these reflect current realities, not the potential of a decentralized framework. Yemen is already fragmented; decentralization provides a path to reintegrate factions under a unified structure.
Regional powers—Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Egypt—must coordinate to support decentralization, block foreign interference, and bolster anti-Houthi tribal factions while promoting accountable local governance. U.S. policymakers should advocate for a transitional governing council with equitable representation from all regions and factions to ensure inclusive decision-making and stabilize post-war governance.
A decentralized Yemen aligns with U.S. interests by countering Iranian influence, securing Red Sea navigation, strengthening Western-aligned partners, and limiting China’s maritime ambitions. It prevents Yemen from becoming a hub for terrorism, arms trafficking, and foreign subversion. By recognizing Yemen’s realities and building governance from the ground up, this model offers a practical way forward for a unified, stable Yemen.
Image - Reuters
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