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South Yemeni leaders to US: Cut your losses in Yemen and support an independent south
Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council is urging the United States to abandon efforts to defeat the Houthis and support an independent south Yemen. The appeal follows renewed civil war and a series of Houthi advances that have weakened the anti-Houthi coalition.
The article says fighting resumed after Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies struck Sanaa airport on 13 July, ending a period of relative calm that had lasted since 2022. Houthi forces have since taken the Red Sea coast, surrounded Taiz and threatened Aden, while counteroffensives backed by heavy Saudi airstrikes have failed.
In short
- South Yemen’s leaders want US backing for independence.
- Houthi forces have made major advances since fighting resumed.
- Saudi-backed counteroffensives have failed to reverse their gains.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of an independent south argue that the renewed fighting and failed counteroffensives show the current strategy is costly and unlikely to defeat the Houthis. They say backing southern self-determination could reflect local political aspirations, offer a more viable partner in the south and allow the US to focus on limiting wider instability.
The case against
Opponents argue that abandoning efforts to contain the Houthis could leave them stronger and expose more of Yemen and vital Red Sea routes to their control. They may also see partition as risking further conflict, displacement and economic disruption, while sidelining Yemenis who favour a unified state or have other political aims.