Saudi Defense Minister Wants Yemen War Ended?

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

On August 14, the Middle East Eye (MEE) reported it, saying Saudi crown prince/defense minister Mohammed bin Salman "wants out," citing two former US officials, adding it's "OK" to engage with Iran.

Martin Indyk and Stephen Hadley were the two former US officials cited - details "contained in an email thread between Indyk and Yousef Otaiba, the UAE's ambassador in Washington…obtained by the GlobalLeaks campaign group."

As defense minister, crown prince Salman is responsible for supporting ISIS, al-Nusra and other regional terrorist groups, along with waging naked aggression on Yemen – creating a biblical level catastrophe, worsening as conflict continues endlessly.

If he wants Saudi terror-bombing and blockade of the country ended, why hasn't he halted it? Reportedly his wanting out of Yemen remarks occurred in May or earlier.

Months later, his actions belie his comments. MEE quoted UAE's Otaiba saying "(s)ometimes foreign ministers have to raise the bar a little higher. And I think (crown prince) MBS is far more pragmatic than what we hear (in) Saudi public positions."

In response, Indyk said "(h)e was quite clear with Steve Hadley and me that he wants out of Yemen and that he is OK with the US engaging Iran as long as it is co-ordinated in advance and the objectives are clear."

Otaiba replied saying "I do not think we will ever see a more pragmatic leader in that country. Which is why engaging with them is so important and will yield the most results we can ever get out of Saudi."

Yemen is Obama's war Trump escalated, Riyadh ravaging the country, serving US imperial interests and its own.

Already the region's poorest country before war began in March 2015, the conflict has been catastrophic for millions of Yemenis - devastated by war, related violence, famine, untreated diseases, and overall deprivation.

The death and injury toll far exceeds reported numbers. From starvation alone, a Yemeni child does every 10 minutes, according to UNICEF. Annualized that's 52,560 deaths. 

Famine stalks the country. Humanitarian crisis conditions affect over 80% of the population.

The death toll could reach staggering proportions if war continues endlessly.

Crown prince Salman's private comments aside, nothing in prospect suggests an imminent resolution to the conflict. It continues raging daily.

VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.