Posted on 05/29/2016 12:21:27 AM PDT by hamilton_1800
In significant news that has thus far either gone under or outright unreported by the media, U.S. military advisors have “boots on the ground” in Yemen, according to a recent report in the Washington Post by Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Missy Ryan:
“The Pentagon has placed a small number of U.S. advisors on the ground in Yemen to support Arab forces battling al-Qaeda, military officials said on Friday, signaling a new American role in that country’s multi-sided civil war.
Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said U.S. personnel had been in the country for about two weeks, supporting Yemeni and Emirati forces that are fighting a pitched battle against militants near the southeastern port city of Mukalla…
Even a tiny military footprint marks a milestone for U.S. involvement in the Yemeni conflict, which brought an end a year and a half ago to a long-running U.S. mission there against AQAP.”
WaPo: “U.S. Forces Now on the Ground” in Yemen
The escalating conflict in Yemen undercut President Obama’s narrative that the US’s strategy of drone strikes and other limited interventions against AQAP was a success in the war on terrorism. Although the current US military presence remains a small, supporting one, given the reluctance of the administration to place any service members in harms way, their deployment must have been deemed necessary. Although the American people are likely not paying close attention to this particular conflagration, if there are casualties or mission creep, Yemen may be added to yet another nation where the Obama foreign policy promises sounded much better in rhetoric only.
(Excerpt) Read more at certainright.com ...
This invented Yemen crisis can be laid mostly onto the Saudi doorstep. I can’t think of any logical reason for US forces...even Special Forces....to be in Yemen. If you look at the typical game there....folks get kidnapped and held until someone pays off a tribe or group of thugs. It amazes me that the Saudis even felt it was in their national interest to be in Yemen.
It was reported some weeks ago.
Just the usual rogue national security establishment producing and running its own policy for reasons you’re not cleared to know.
Let the Arab Muslims solve their own damned issues, it is not our nation and not our problem and getting involved will only make it worse.
“We will never put boots on the ground.” - Obutthole
They act like the CIC of the US has no control. That somehow the narrative has left him no choice.
Our armed forces are nothing more than a mercenary force for the Saudis,going back to the last four pigs we had as President, including the current worst pig of all.
The media sucks.
I can’t wait for Trump.
Saudi war crimes in Yemen, with the help of the Nobel Prize winner...
http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/03/25/civilian-casualties-war-crimes-saudi-arabia-yemen-war/
“No legally valid basis for bombing”
Oh goodie. Now that we are in Yemen, the gitmo inmates we set free in Yemen can welcome our troops./s
The spawn of satan Hate mankind!
Thanks for the post hamilton_1800.
I’ll take just a quick divergence, here. Memorial Day weekend seems like a good time to do so...
I, for one, am sick to death of the phrase “boots on the ground”; especially when spouted by people who have never worn the boots, let alone put them ‘on the ground’ in some God forsaken, third World trash dump of a country ruled by tyrants and despots.
It’s time to remind these idiots that those boots are filled by outstanding American troops; troops from all manner of backgrounds and stations in life. Young people who bleed when wounded, who fight and die in service to this grand experiment.
They are so much more than mere ‘boots on the ground’, and they deserve more respect than that petty phrase allows. They should NEVER be so poorly characterized...NEVER.
OK. Rant Over.
Enjoy your weekend, hamilton_1800, and all the other FReepers out there. Keep in mind those who have gone before, as well as those who serve today. Keep them in your prayers, and honor their service.
I agree with you 110% on this one for sure. It has been a peeve of mine every time I hear the damn phrase. I find it demeaning. Were it not for those soldiers (no disrespect to the other branches meant), we would all be speaking some other language and have another cultural history. They deserve respect and dignity not some cheapening comment as if they are nothing but a bunch of dressed up mannequins.
The President of Yemen, Hadi, was ousted by an Iranian-backed faction called the Houthis. If the Houthis had maintained control of Yemen then Iran would have been able to control the sea lanes in the Gulf of Aden. Pre-Obama, it would have been a clear national interest of the US, to see that this not happen. But Obama was at this time in the process of negotiating his treaty with the Mullahs, so the US refused to help the Saudis. (US did help with mid-air refueling of coalition planes) The Saudis panicked, formed a coalition with other Sunni nations including Egypt and the UAE, and began the process of ousting Iranian proxies from power in Yemen.
The coalition was winning until the Iranians got their money from the Nuke treaty, and ever since the Iranians have seemingly halted the coalition's progress. Hadi has returned to Yemen, but there is now a stalemate. Negotiations with Houthis going no where because Houthis are emboldened by resurgent Iranian backing.
This is a very important war for American interests, that is, if we still consider the Iranians to be enemies, and the Egyptians and Saudis to be friends. Who knows now?
Saudis viscerally hate Shia Iran, and didn't want them right on their border, or in control of Aden. Since Obama seems to favor Iran, I'm rooting' for the Saudis in this one.
I've been worried about this for several years - have been seeing US military bend over backwards to supply both countries with weapons and systems.
If you're in the weapons industry, you probably know what I'm saying is true.
Not having read US media articles on our involvement in Yemen, I am not entirely certain who is the Barry supporting. That being said, the Yemen proxy war has the Saudis (AQAP & other Sunnis) fighting the Iranians (Houthis & other Shias) (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29319423). If we are against AQAP then it explains why when POTUS recently visited Saudi Arabia he was received by the Governor of Riyadh (http://hotair.com/archives/2016/04/20/saudi-arabia-snubs-president-obama-at-the-airport/). Obviously the Saudis were not happy with Barry helping out the Iranians hence the snub at the airport. I say this because usually the media is behind when reporting troop deployments unless the WH wants them to know in advance (i.e. SEALS landing in Somalia under Clinton) yet the Saudis would have likely known of our involvement in Yemen before Barry visited.
Why are our troops helping fight AQAP thus helping the Iranians in Yemen? If the Iranians win, they would have a strategic vantage point to control the Red Sea (and they can already control the Persian Gulf if they wanted).
Regards.
the threat is to the Suez Canal
They are putting outsourced boots on the ground this summer. Big efforts.
Actually the new Army is all about outsourcing war.
Funny stuff. US troops have been in Yemen for many years. The lies countinue.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me. ..................
Finally Obama sends troops, without their boots or course, to a war he didn't lose for the US. Though one he created.
I saw several newscasts today, and I never heard a word about it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.