According to media at least 30 Yemeni soldiers lost their lives in a revenge attack on an army base in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan. Yemeni forces started an offensive against militants in Abyan two years ago, under the cover of US drones. Some twenty five thousand soldiers participated in the offensive, which is still continuing.
Yemen is suffering violence and suicide attacks these days. Just a few days ago Yemeni defense minister survived an assassination attempt near his house, in the heart of the capital, Sana. After several drone attacks and killing of ordinary people, the rate of suicide attacks has doubled in Yemen. The worst attack killed more than hundreds of soldiers just a months ago. Unfortunately Yemeni authorities are making the same mistake that Pakistan made.
Yemen has tribal a culture similar to Pakistan, where revenge is very common, which is the main cause of these suicide attacks. Ten years ago Pakistan started an offensive against our local tribesmen under the cover of US drones, but despite the loss of thousands of soldiers, and thousand of locals, as well as heavy losses to the county, Pakistan is unable to control the situation and militancy has increased in the tribal areas.
The continuous drone attacks, despite Pakistan’s verbal objections, are making the situation worse for our security forces, and for them it is all an uphill task. Several attacks on peace meetings have further spoiled the situation. True reality is that current situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan proves that you can’t win war against your own people, and you can’t bring peace through use of drones and military aggression. There needs to be talks or discussion with everyone on board to resolve this cankerous situation.
Many human rights organizations in Pakistan claim that for one militant killed ten innocent lives are lost. These indiscriminate killings are providing new recruits to the dying militant forces. Instead of acting on exterior pressure Yemeni authorities should try to adopt policies in the interest of Yemen.
KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ,
Jeddah, October 20.