A British military expert downplayed the significance and effectiveness of the recent US strikes on Yemen.
Andreas Krieger, Associate Professor in the Department of In-Depth Defense Studies at King’s College London, said that the US strikes will not break the will of the Yemenis, but may rather strengthen their resilience and strength in the face of military pressure.
He noted that the Yemeni fighter has demonstrated tremendous resilience over years of bombing.
In an interview with France 24, the British military expert, Krieger, described the US bombing of sites in Sana’a, Sa’dah, Ma’rib, Hajjah, and Hodeidah as a “major escalation by Washington.”
He indicated that these strikes lack an effective strategy for dealing with the Yemenis.
Krieger emphasized that the Yemenis, who have demonstrated “tremendous resilience” over years of Saudi bombing, have not retreated strategically.
He added that the Yemenis are not responding to a policy of punitive deterrence, but rather are growing stronger and more confident, adding that the war in Gaza and Western responses have strengthened their position over the past eighteen months.
He refuted America’s allegations regarding Yemen’s dependence on Iran, emphasizing that the Yemenis possess self-empowerment.
The British military analyst stated that Trump miscalculated that military pressure would change the Yemenis’ behavior toward Gaza, noting that the Yemenis’ recent escalatory rhetoric reflects their growing strength.
Commenting on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statements about “eliminating the Yemenis’ offensive capabilities,” Krieger downplayed the feasibility of this goal, explaining that the Yemeni forces rely on simple technology that they can develop locally, enabling them to continue their operations in Bab al-Mandab regardless of the strikes.
He indicated that a military solution is not possible, calling for recognizing the strength of the Yemenis and the necessity of negotiating with them as an equal party.
