Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with several other Arab states, has started air strikes against Houthi controlled positions in Yemen. Currently it is not known how long the attacks will last, or what happens if the Houthis decide to resist the intervention.

Saudi officials claim that their decision to intervene was in response to a request by the fleeing Yemeni president, after the continued aggression by the Houthis against Yemen’s legitimate government.

A Houthi fighter walks at the site of an air strike at a residential area near Sanaa Airport [REUTERS]

Although it is hoped that the  military action will be a catalyst to a return to negotiations over the future of government in Yemen, this does appear increasingly less likely in the near future.

Since taking over Sanaa last September, the Houthis have been making major advances through Yemen, reaching the southern city of Aden. There has been a growing disquiet in Yemen, with the Houthis seeking to take control of the country. However, just how the Houthis planned to achieve total control without the country descending into full civil war is very unclear, especially with al-Qaeda and ISIL being major payers in the conflict.

it is also unclear whether the general population of Yemen will take kindly to long term “foreign” military presence in their country, and just how effective this intervention will be.

What is certain is that this will prove to be a long and protracted conflict. Despite the countless reports about the first day’s casualties and losses, retreats and advances, it is impossible to predict how this conflict will evolve in the coming days and weeks.

  • Pray for Yemen, a country on the brink of all out civil war. Pray for peace, reconciliation and a desire for resolution to the conflict on all sides.
  • Pray for civilians caught up in the air strikes. Pray for their protection and for comfort for grieving families.
  • Pray for Yemen Christians, to have courage to share their hope and faith with those who desperately need to know this for themselves.

Isaiah 60 vs 18: “Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.”

source: http://www.aljazeera.com