While the United States cannot solve Yemen’s problems, it can play an important role in supporting Yemeni-led peace efforts according to an analysis published by Just Security.org.
Tyler Pry, the author of the analysis suggested that ‘Despite taking a military-first approach to Yemen for the past years, the United States has failed to secure any long-term outcomes or to support the resolution of the underlying issues at play in Yemen”.
He added “The Trump administration doubled down on President Biden’s campaign, expanding and increasing the strikes with a new campaign that began in mid-March. Under the code name, Operation Rough Rider, Trump administration airstrikes have hit over 1,000 targets, including critical civilian infrastructure like oil facilities in the Ras Isa port.
At the time of this writing, the Houthis are no longer attacking U.S. ships, but they continue to pose a threat to the broader Red Sea region and to American allies in the Middle East, including by firing ballistic missiles at Israel. Meanwhile, the situation inside Yemen remains very tense.
Instead of using force to address this ongoing crisis, the Trump administration should support Yemeni efforts to bring peace to their country and transform the root causes of insecurity and violent conflict. A new approach would entail pursuing a peaceful response to insecurity and fragility through diplomatic means, leveraging U.S. influence to secure a ceasefire, capitalizing on changes in regional dynamics to make progress, supporting Yemenis in moving from a ceasefire to an inclusive peace agreement, investing in Yemeni civil society, and promoting accountable, transparent, responsive, and inclusive governance.
Tyler Pry concluded “Since a military-first approach is not working, what might an alternative strategy look like?
1.Resume diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen. The foreign policy of President Trump – exemplified by the outcome-driven negotiating posture of his envoy, Steve Witkoff – will be undermined if the United States does not draw upon the lessons of previous engagements in Yemen. Under United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, Yemen’s conflict parties agreed to a truce in 2022, followed by two major exchanges of conflict-related detainees. The parties also agreed to follow a UN-led roadmap to peace. This truce has largely held and violent conflict has generally decreased within Yemen. These diplomatic steps are not perfect, but they have provided a measure of success. Similar additional steps are needed to build confidence for further negotiations and to lay the foundation for sustainable peace. It is necessary to ensure that what comes next is genuinely inclusive of women, young people and civil society. It is critical that – even though the Trump administration has expressed disdain for the UN – the U.S. government supports the areas of the UN’s work that are effective.
2. Implement a regional peace plan and invest in the full spectrum of civilian, diplomatic and stabilization approaches. To ensure a ceasefire can transition into fully fledged peace negotiations, it is critical that civilians – civil society organizations, women, young people, tribal and community leaders – outside of elite circles in Aden and Sana’a are involved from the beginning. It is also important that whatever political system comes into place following talks is inclusive and responsive to Yemenis’ needs rather than being extractive and corrupt. Ultimately, the political structures that come next are up to Yemenis.
The United States should support inclusivity and civil society engagement by insisting on civilian engagement from the very start. It should pressure the Presidential Leadership Council, which governs southern Yemen, and its regional backers to be inclusive of and responsive to the needs of Yemenis. By doing this, the U.S. government can help set peace talks in the right direction from the outset. Support should entail targeted financial, technical, and political assistance to elements of the Republic of Yemen Government that believe in and will act to establish an inclusive government. On the other hand, the Trump administration should apply pressure on officials and factions that resist this change.