Yemen's Government Regains Momentum, Eyes Houthis in North
A decade into the ongoing war between Yemen's government and Houthi rebels, the tide has finally turned in favor of the government. The formation of a new Supreme Military Committee (SMC), led by President Rashad al-Alimi, marks a significant shift in the conflict.
According to Naef, a nine-year veteran of the government army in southern Yemen, the SMC is a game-changer. "I am optimistic today as the government has revived some of its power in southern Yemen," he said. The soldier believes that the formation of an inclusive military committee will boost morale and pave the way for a powerful government comeback.
The SMC's goal is to oversee all anti-Houthi military units and integrate them into the official Yemeni military, under one command. Naef sees this as a crucial step towards defeating the Houthis and reclaiming all of Yemen.
However, not everyone shares Naef's optimism. Houthi supporters in northern Yemen are concerned that the SMC is an attempt to organize proxies in the south, which will deepen the south's subjugation to Saudi Arabia.
Hamza Abdu, a 24-year-old Houthi supporter, described the new military committee as "an attempt to organise the proxies in the south" and warned that it may entice anti-Houthi forces to attack the north, leading to a new destructive war. Aziz Rashid, a pro-Houthi military expert, believed that the SMC will not alter the status quo and that any future confrontation with the Houthis will only serve the agendas of external powers.
Despite these concerns, some experts believe that the formation of the SMC presents an opportunity for Yemen to achieve peace. Adel Dashela, a Yemeni researcher, said that if the SMC can provide security and stability in territory under its control, it may also be able to improve the lives of Yemenis living there – and put itself in a stronger position in any negotiations with the Houthis.
For many ordinary citizens like Fawaz Ahmed, the establishment of a military committee is a welcome development. He hopes that the SMC will bring an end to the presence of armed groups in Aden and other southern cities, bringing law and order to the area.
The government's renewed momentum has been boosted by recent successes against separatist forces in southern Yemen. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) was routed in a matter of days, sending a powerful message to the Houthis in the north.
Iran is undergoing a massive crisis, which may weaken its Houthi proxy and create an opportunity for the Yemeni government to shift the battle to the Houthis in the north. The popular rage against the group is growing, fueled by economic and governance issues in areas under their control.
As the conflict rages on, one thing is clear: defeating the Houthis will be easier said than done. But with the formation of the SMC, Yemen's government may finally have the momentum it needs to reclaim its territory and bring peace to the war-torn country.
A decade into the ongoing war between Yemen's government and Houthi rebels, the tide has finally turned in favor of the government. The formation of a new Supreme Military Committee (SMC), led by President Rashad al-Alimi, marks a significant shift in the conflict.
According to Naef, a nine-year veteran of the government army in southern Yemen, the SMC is a game-changer. "I am optimistic today as the government has revived some of its power in southern Yemen," he said. The soldier believes that the formation of an inclusive military committee will boost morale and pave the way for a powerful government comeback.
The SMC's goal is to oversee all anti-Houthi military units and integrate them into the official Yemeni military, under one command. Naef sees this as a crucial step towards defeating the Houthis and reclaiming all of Yemen.
However, not everyone shares Naef's optimism. Houthi supporters in northern Yemen are concerned that the SMC is an attempt to organize proxies in the south, which will deepen the south's subjugation to Saudi Arabia.
Hamza Abdu, a 24-year-old Houthi supporter, described the new military committee as "an attempt to organise the proxies in the south" and warned that it may entice anti-Houthi forces to attack the north, leading to a new destructive war. Aziz Rashid, a pro-Houthi military expert, believed that the SMC will not alter the status quo and that any future confrontation with the Houthis will only serve the agendas of external powers.
Despite these concerns, some experts believe that the formation of the SMC presents an opportunity for Yemen to achieve peace. Adel Dashela, a Yemeni researcher, said that if the SMC can provide security and stability in territory under its control, it may also be able to improve the lives of Yemenis living there – and put itself in a stronger position in any negotiations with the Houthis.
For many ordinary citizens like Fawaz Ahmed, the establishment of a military committee is a welcome development. He hopes that the SMC will bring an end to the presence of armed groups in Aden and other southern cities, bringing law and order to the area.
The government's renewed momentum has been boosted by recent successes against separatist forces in southern Yemen. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) was routed in a matter of days, sending a powerful message to the Houthis in the north.
Iran is undergoing a massive crisis, which may weaken its Houthi proxy and create an opportunity for the Yemeni government to shift the battle to the Houthis in the north. The popular rage against the group is growing, fueled by economic and governance issues in areas under their control.
As the conflict rages on, one thing is clear: defeating the Houthis will be easier said than done. But with the formation of the SMC, Yemen's government may finally have the momentum it needs to reclaim its territory and bring peace to the war-torn country.