On January 17, 2025, the vice president of Yemen, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, celebrated the return of the Trump administration in the U.S. stating Donald Trump is a necessity to defeat the Houthis in Yemen. Zubaidi commented that the way in which the Biden administration hesitated to display their full military power in the Middle East allowed the Houthis to gain power and influence in and around Yemen. The vice president called for the separation of the country into two states to distance the Southern Transitional Council from the Houthi controlled North. Zubaidi argued that the internal conflict would end with the separation of Yemen, also stating that a U.S. strike against the Houthis would put an end to their attacks against maritime trade in the Red Sea.
Yemen was originally two separate countries after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, however, many Yemenis argued that the split of the two countries was unnecessary as it allowed the North to become an independent republic while the South remained under the control of the British. The civil war in North Yemen led to the unification of the two countries because of the economical benefits from being able to globalize the oil in the country. The separation of the two countries today will make it easier for Iran to fund the Houthi government that would form in the Northern state.
The U.S. should continue to be friendly with Yemen but should take into consideration what separating the county would mean for creating another ally indebted to Iran. Also with how the new border would split the oil wells located in Yemen. The U.S. is Yemen’s largest humanitarian relief donor and is significant in supporting the country’s recognised government, Yemen should push for two states if the U.S. does not see a favorable outcome. Iran and the Houthis could see this as an opportunity to also push for the separation of the country since it will make it easier for them to communicate with each other.
This article connects to what we are learning in class by discussing national security. Yemen argues that by separating the country into two Northern and Southern states it will protect its sovereignty and borders. Yemen also suggests that by being aligned with the U.S. to weaken the Houthis and Iran’s influence in the region.