Aidarus's Advisor: 'Israel' Part of STC's Calculations to Confront Houthis

Khaled Al-Yamani, advisor to Aidarus al-Zubaidi, head of the dissolved Southern Transitional Council, claimed that "Israel" could be part of a broader regional security system to confront Iran and the Houthis, within the framework of arrangements based on burden-sharing between the region's countries and US allies.

Speaking to the American channel "Alhurra," Al-Yamani added that "Israel" could be an "important element" in confronting the Iranian challenge within any alliance among Gulf countries, calling for a shift from regional cooperation to building a "regional umbrella for security and stability."

This call comes amid escalating military developments in Yemen and reports that the United States is focusing on supporting its regional partners and sharing intelligence, rather than engaging in direct military involvement in recent events.

"Alhurra" quoted a senior US official as saying that Washington currently prefers to support its partners in the region and share intelligence, with a focus on protecting freedom of navigation and confronting the Houthis.

Al-Yamani justified his proposal with a broader vision for regional security, stating that the United States should not continue to play the role of the "world's policeman" and that its allies in the region must bear greater responsibility in facing security threats.

Al-Yamani's statements bring back to the forefront previous positions by the head of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarus al-Zubaidi, regarding the possibility of establishing relations with the Israeli occupation if the secession project he demands is achieved.

In February 2021, al-Zubaidi announced his support for the normalization agreements signed by the UAE and other Arab countries with the Israeli occupation. He said that establishing relations with it would be possible if secession is achieved, while affirming at the time that there were no contacts between the council and the Israeli occupation.

Al-Yamani described this proposal as part of the dissolved Southern Transitional Council's positions, saying that the council's desire to be part of the normalization agreements is "part of the STC's platform."

In contrast, Yemeni Shura Council member Lotfi Al-Noman told "Alhurra" that the call for an Israeli role in Yemen is "unrealistic," ruling out Israeli intervention unless its interests or security are directly threatened.