Yemen: The recent visit of Tariq Afash, a notable figure associated with the UAE-backed militia and the nephew of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, to London has sparked numerous questions regarding the significance and implications of this visit. This occurrence is particularly noteworthy amid heightened military activities by the United States and Britain in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, ostensibly to ensure safe passage for Israeli vessels.

According to media reports, British intelligence summoned Tariq Afash, accompanied by the occupation-backed Coast Guard Service member Khalid al-Qamli, to London. This summons followed closely after an incident involving the Yemeni Armed Forces targeting the vessel Rubymar on the 19th of the previous month, resulting in its complete sinking last Sunday.

As of now, the purpose of this visit remains unclear. However, some political analysts speculate that Britain aims to gauge the capabilities of Yemen’s western coast and understand the extent of Tariq Afash's influence in the region. This notion was reinforced by Tariq Afash himself during a meeting at Chatham House, as reported by The Independent. He expressed his vision to curtail the operations of the Yemeni Armed Forces supporting Gaza at sea against the Israeli entity. Afash proposed that the solution lies in opening the coastal fronts, asserting his forces' readiness to participate in safeguarding Israeli navigation in the Red Sea under the banner of the "Guardians of Prosperity" alliance, initiated by the US to protect Israeli interests in the region.

According to The Independent, Tariq Afash sought military and economic support from Britain, as well as air cover, in exchange for opening a new front against what he described as "the Houthis."

Political observers believe that Tariq Afash's visit to Britain aims to strike a deal regarding securing navigation in Yemeni territorial waters in the Arabian and Red Seas and lifting the Yemeni siege on the Israeli occupation through intensified actions against the Yemeni Armed Forces. This alleged deal includes utilizing Al-Mukha Airport to receive batches of mercenary fighters trained in neighboring African countries and installing a British air defense system in Al-Mukha and coastal areas overlooking the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The objective is to intercept Yemeni missiles directed towards Israeli, British, and American vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas.

Furthermore, Tariq Afash's visit to Britain aligns with his efforts to secure financial and military backing from the British government to control the southwestern corner of Yemen adjacent to Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, as reported by The Independent.

This visit by Tariq Afash to Britain underscores coordination among American, British, Zionist, and Emirati interests. The UAE is expected to finance this endeavor and fulfill its military requirements, while London and Washington assume a sponsoring role to mitigate potential backlash from Yemen. Additionally, the visit reflects the Saudi-backed government's alignment with American objectives in Yemen, including supporting intensified airstrikes and ground operations by mercenary factions to counter the Yemeni Armed Forces' actions against ships associated with Israel, as indicated by statements from Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Council of Saudi-Emirati tools, in late January.

Translated Article by Almasirah English website