New Saudi war in Yemen
- From the field to politics
- Different scenarios... and consistency of approach
- Impunity as a stimulating factor
- A new test for the international community
The province of Hadramaut, in eastern Yemen, was the scene of air strikes carried out by the Saudi Air Force, which coincided with a ground offensive by forces loyal to the Muslim Brotherhood. This resulted in civilian casualties and raised questions about the motives behind the military campaign against forces that had been allies in the fight against the Houthis and terrorism.
The Saudi Air Force launched several bombings against positions of the Southern Transitional Council forces, following popular demands for the restoration of the state of southern Yemen.
According to reports from human rights organizations and the media, the air strikes caused civilian casualties, including seven members of the same family, the Al-Amudi family, who died after a direct attack on their home in an area of the Hadramaut Valley, in an incident that sparked a wave of condemnation and demands for an independent international investigation.
Human rights institutions also warned of documented information indicating an attack on the civilian airport in Seiyun, as well as reports of ambulance teams being bombed while carrying out humanitarian work. These events raised concerns about the escalation of violations against the civilian population and civilian property.
From the field to politics
This escalation coincided with a climate of political and human rights controversy. Observers believe that what is happening in Hadramaut cannot be separated from a broader political-security approach that Riyadh is pursuing outside its borders, based on imposing its will through military force, in the absence of real international accountability.
They point out that this approach reflects the same security mindset, which treats unfavorable realities on the ground as threats that must be eliminated, either through military operations or other security tools. This brings to mind some of the most controversial cases in recent years.
Experts familiar with the current political, economic, social, and cultural reality in Saudi Arabia point out that the actions in Yemen do not correspond to this new reality, which has been achieved thanks to a profound and substantial evolution in Saudi leadership and society as a result of Saudi Vision 2030, successfully promoted by the strongman Mohammed bin Salman, crown prince destined to be the successor to the throne of the Kingdom, although there is still some resistance from figures who could attempt a conspiracy by issuing orders as serious as the attacks on the port of Mukalla in Yemen, as part of a new strategy. In addition, they may be interested in provoking a confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, former allies in the region.
Different scenarios... and consistency of approach
As a result, some analysts link what is happening today in Hadramaut with past events, considering that the geographical difference does not change the essence of the approach, which sees free speech or the demand for rights as a danger that must be contained or crushed.
In Hadramaut, they say, this mentality translates into aerial bombardments and attacks on civilian areas, as well as coordination on the ground with controversial ideological forces, while the same approach has previously materialized in actions with international impact.
Impunity as a stimulating factor
Experts in international law say that the lack of accountability in some cases in the past sent an implicit message that serious violations can be politically contained, which encouraged the expansion of the scope of use of force in other scenarios, including Yemen.
They cite as evidence the audacity of attacking civilian facilities in Hadramaut and the alliances on the ground that accompanied the airstrikes, at a time when some of these forces are under close international scrutiny for their links to extremist ideologies.
A new test for the international community
While the Yemeni Ministry of Legal Affairs and Human Rights announced the start of information gathering and verification of reports on civilian casualties, human rights organizations believe that what is happening in Hadramaut represents a new test for the credibility of the international community in the face of a culture of impunity.
Observers warn that merely issuing statements of concern, without real accountability measures, will only lead to a repeat of past scenarios, posing a renewed challenge to the protection of civilians and human rights.