Monstrous Suicide Attack in Yemen: Obama’s Model for Syria

Al-Qaida in the south, the Houthi rebellion in the north, and a tattered army — this would be the short description of a country that the U.S. president chose to present as a “model” for Syria.

It seems plausible that Monday’s monstrous suicide attack was carried out by al-Qaida. In fact, during these past weeks, fighting has been escalating between al-Qaida-affiliated extremists, who in some cases control real territory, and the army that tries to regain control. And by the way, all of it is taking place in area which is also home to a secessionist movement.

At the army parade, that was about to be rehearsed (when the suicide bomber struck), interim president Mansur al-Hadi was scheduled to give a speech. He, too, is participating in the power struggle — control of the army being one of the prizes. Key positions in the security apparatus are still in the hands of family members of former long-term president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who relinquished power in name only. The army is torn between old and new loyalty.

In the north there is also the Shia rebellion of the Houthi, which is further complicated by Saudi and Iranian interests coming into play. The rebellion, too, has been a contentious issue within the army, centered on the question of how to deal with it. In the context of Yemen’s society, all the mentioned conflicts have additionally a strong tribal aspect. The weaker the state, the stronger become the tribes.

And this is a short description of the same country that President Barack Obama called a “model” for Syria.