US- Iran thaw spurred Saudi’s Yemen action

Wary of a rapprochement between Washington and arch- rival Iran, Saudi Arabia has taken matters into its own hands by leading an air war against Shia rebels in Yemen, experts say.

The Huthi rebels, who Tehran denies arming, were close to seizing most of Yemen when Saudi Arabia sent warplanes into its southern neighbour, with which it shares a 1,800 kilometre ( 1,100 mile) border.

“America’s indifference to Saudi concerns and — the other side of that coin, America’s increasing interest in co- opting Iran,” are among the motives behind Riyadh’s action, said Professor Anoush Ehteshami, Iran and Gulf expert at Britain’s Durham University.

The air campaign began last week as marathon talks between Iran and world powers aimed at ensuring Tehran never develops a nuclear bomb entered a crucial phase.

“As the nuclear negotia- tions proceed, the Saudis become much more nervous about America taking its eye off the Arab world by focusing on Iran,” said Mr Ehteshami.

The campaign followed urgent calls for help by Yemen’s embattled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, as the Huthis and allied troops loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh closed in on his refuge in the main southern city of Aden. Mr Hadi, who has since fled to Saudi Arabia, denounced the rebels as Iran’s “puppets”, while Riyadh accused Tehran of meddling in the internal affairs of the Gulf and Yemen.

On Tuesday, Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al- Faisal said that Yemen’s security was “part and parcel” of the security of his kingdom and the rest of the Arab world.

The Huthis are not a new force in Yemen. They have fought the central government for a decade in their northern stronghold of Saada.