I am sure I am missing someone, because this war has all sorts of players getting involved. What I have done below, is posted all the current events in Yemen that everyone should key in on, and I also tried to bring in some industry stuff as well.
The things the caught my attention is the Saudis are beginning to use some of that Vinnell training to good use against the Houthis. Vinnell has been training up the SANG, and King Abdullah has been heavily investing in U.S. equipment and trainers for years now. So it is interesting to see them flex some military muscle and apply what they have learned. (on a side note, check out the recruitment brochure at the Vinnell Arabia website-it looks like they treat those guys pretty well)
The other one that caught my eye was the this fence the Saudis are building. They are contracting the services of EADS, and this project is massive and technological. And because of all the problems at the border recently, they are really wanting to ramp up the construction. So that will be providing jobs in the world of contracting. No word yet if they are looking for security contractors to supplement the border patrol or the building of these fences and networks, but you never know.
Then there is the story about the cleric that influenced the Ft. Hood shooter, whom was targeted by a U.S. missile strike in Yemen. That’s right, we are launching missiles into Yemen. Unfortunately, we did not get him, but it does sound like we were able to get a few AQ in the strike.
Now one little interesting tidbit in this whole deal, is Iran and Al Qaeda, and what they are doing in Yemen. The Houthis are Shia, hate the Saudis, and are said to be supported by Iran. Al Qaeda is a Sunni based organization, yet they hate the Saudis as well, and they have established a base in Yemen. Could the Houthis and AQ be working together in Yemen or coordinating their efforts, all with the hopes of defeating the Saudis and the West? I kind of doubt it, but I have seen this theory floating around and was wondering if any of the readership have any thoughts about this?
We will keep our eye on Yemen, and see how that war develops. By the way, I put up a ton of material below, so click the ‘read the rest of this entry’ for the other info.-Matt
Edit: 12/27/2009- Check out the CNAS report on Yemen that I just posted today, on the very bottom. There is a PDF with it too.
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Saudi rid of Yemeni infiltrators, King says
12/26/2009
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has claimed victory in a conflict with Yemeni rebels, saying the army has driven away the last infiltrators from its territory, an Arabic language daily said on Saturday.
King Abdullah told the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Seyassah that his instructions to Saudi forces were “clear,” demanding operations were confined to Saudi territory without entering Yemen.
Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday the conflict was nearing an end, with at least 73 of its troops killed in fighting against Yemeni rebels since November.
Yemeni rebels, however, said the war was far from over.
King Abdullah told al-Seyassah that his orders to the army were to “only drive away infiltrators and preserve the security and borders” of the kingdom.
“We are not a nation that interferes in other countries’ affairs and do not accept other countries to interfere in ours,” he said.
(more…)