A strategic cliffhanger

Power struggle in Yemen has many dimensions & it may be unwise for Pakistan to allow itself to be pulled into these

The conflict raging in Yemen, after Houthi rebels overthrew the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has engulfed much of the Muslim world, with Saudi Arabia — a close ally of Hadi, whose government now operates from the Kingdom — leading an international force of around 10 countries engaged in fighting the rebels in Yemen. In this regard, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Turkey to discuss the developing situation in the Middle East with the leadership of that country is an important one. In a meeting held between the prime minister and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, the precarious situation in Yemen and the need to find a solution was the key point on the agenda during talks, with the two heads of government, whose nations both have close links with Saudi Arabia, discussing the options available and their own dilemmas.

Pakistan, with its close economic and strategic links with Saudi Arabia, naturally faces pressure to join the force, and given the staunch support it has over the years received from Riyadh, notably in difficult times, there are solid reasons as to why it should indeed stand behind a close ally. However, above all else, Pakistan must look at its own interests and those of its people. Being drawn into a distant war, involving matters that do not concern the country, does not really meet this need in any way. The power struggle in Yemen has many dimensions, including regional ones, and it may be unwise for Pakistan to allow itself to be pulled into these. It, after all, faces a great many issues already. Discussions of the kind held between the Pakistani and Turkish leadership are important. They help clear the air. Pakistan, meanwhile, after a series of top-level meetings, appears to have devised what is essentially a two-pronged strategy. On the one hand, it has repeatedly reiterated its resolve to defend Saudi Arabia. This has, of course, been requested by Riyadh. But Islamabad has also stressed that it sees an urgent need to work towards a peaceful solution to the problem and will be doing all it can for this. A resolution which can end the fighting would of course be in everyone’s interest, and we must hope one can indeed be evolved.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2015.

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