News analysis: no signs war will expand in Yemen even after U.S. strikes

Yemen witnessed dramatic events in the past few days after the U.S. struck military sites run by the Houthi group, but they will not change the course of the war in Yemen, observers said.

Actually, the U.S. strikes were carried out though the Houthi militants denied responsibility for failed missile attacks on a U.S. destroyer in the Bab El-Mandab strait.

Strategically, the U.S. wants to guarantee more presence in the region and that is why we should understand that its strikes did not mean it has decided to join the war in Yemen, observers pointed out.

With the strikes, it wanted either to help the Saudi-led coalition "only on Houthi radars and missile launchers" that have targeted several Saudi and UAE warships off Yemen or to send a message to the Houthis that a further war on them will be inevitable if they don't accept peaceful options, observers said.

Some observers argued that the coalition apparently does not have advanced equipment to detect Houthi radars and missile launchers that targeted its ships repeatedly, and that's why the U.S. intervened.

Maybe the coalition asked the U.S. to intervene militarily in order to restore the work on peace efforts after the deadliest airstrikes on a funeral triggered military mobilization by the Houthi-former president alliance, they added.

Adil Al-Shuja'a, a professor of politics at Sanaa University, said the U.S. will not join the war in Yemen to avoid a further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis.

"The real U.S. objective, however, is to control the Bab El-Mandab strait and the Socotra island amid escalating conflict with foes such as Russia," he said.

"Most importantly, it wants to send a message to the Houthis that it is really committed to supporting and defending the GCC allies," he added.

Yaseen Al-Tamimi, a political writer and analyst, said there are no signs the war will expand in Yemen.

"When it comes to the U.S., the strikes did not mean the U.S .has plans to internationalize the Yemeni crisis because its support to the Arab coalition is enough."

"In addition, it does not want the war in Yemen to expand because the regional waterways are very important for its economy," Al-Tamimi said.

"When it comes to other players, Russia and Iran, for example, they can't launch another war front as the war in Syria and sanctions by the West have exhausted their economies," he said.

"Furthermore, Russia will not risk its improving ties and growing interests with GCC friends," Al-Tamimi elaborated.

The U.S. has been providing logistical and intelligence support to the campaign since it was launched in March 2015. Recently it put forward a proposal to end the war in Yemen peacefully amid growing criticism to its support to the Saudi-led military intervention and its failure to help avert a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

SAUDI EGYPTIAN TENSIONS

The U.S. strikes coincided with growing tensions between Egypt and Saudi Arabia apparently after Egypt voted for a Russian resolution over Syria at the UN Security Council.

Observers said the tensions between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, both members in the coalition bombing Yemen, will be positively reflected on the situation in Yemen.

"First, the tensions will lead to new alliances that in turn will lead to balance of power in the region. Balance of power could lay the groundwork for peace," Al-Shuja'a said.

"Secondly, the change in Egypt's position over regional issues means there is something wrong with key players such as Saudi Arabia," he said.

"In both cases, there is a hope the situation will change for better in Yemen, in favor of peace not war," he added.

Some observers argued the Saudi-Egyptian tensions will not serve the peace process as it will delay a military victory and derail the peace process as these two countries are the main Arab players. Endit