More Arab power for Yemen with Sudan joining fight

It goes to the credit of Sudanese leadership that it chose to join the war, despite being bogged down at home in a war of attrition on its southern flank.

Published: Mon 19 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Tue 20 Oct 2015, 1:11 PM

Arab solidarity for Yemen was on display as Sudan joined the coalition fighting the Houthi rebels. Reports say more than 6,000 Sudanese troops are in Aden to not only liberate the strife-torn country but also to stabilise the region by keeping open navigational routes near the strategic Bad Al Mandeb. Sudan's joining the Saudi-led coalition underscores the importance of Yemen to the Arab states.
The UAE has led from front and its forces are registering tales of valour by spilling their blood for the Arab fraternity. Stability and peace in Yemen is sine qua non for the progress and prosperity of the entire region, and no country in the Middle East, Africa or across the Mediterranean can be safe if this Tehran-backed encroachment continues unchecked.
The fact that all the six Gulf Cooperation Council states, Egypt and many states from Africa are now part of the broader understanding to fight in Yemen is a good sign for pan-Arab unity. This is a war against foreign occupation, and there will not be any let up until order is restored in Yemen under its elected government.
It goes to the credit of Sudanese leadership that it chose to join the war, despite being bogged down at home in a war of attrition on its southern flank. The reinforcement from Khartoum will go a long way in securing Aden, which has seen a flare-up in fighting. Sudanese forces in collaboration with their Arab counterparts are likely to focus on Mukalla and Zinjibar that had fallen to Al Qaeda-led terrorists recently. The coalition's push towards the north will, however, determine the fate of Yemen in days and weeks to come.