Houthi missiles latest threat to fragile Yemeni government
Any incoming government in Yemen will need to stop the infighting in the south and address issues related to essential services, as well as be prepared to face a likely torrent of Houthi missiles.
The deliberations on forming a new government divided by Yemen's south and north have not wound up. They have kept hitting a dead end for over a year. On Nov. 5, 2019, the southern separatists and the UN-recognized government signed a power-sharing agreement that stipulated a new government formation in one month. More than one year has elapsed and the new government is yet to be declared.
Although the two sides may declare the new government sooner or later, the government's return to Yemen will face a real threat: Houthi missiles.
Residing in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, Yemeni government officials and senior separatist leaders are now safe from Houthi missile attacks and drones, operating and running things from a distance. However, when the new government is back to operate from Yemen after its declaration, the Houthis are likely to fire some missiles to the south to interrupt the government's operation.
Over the last two years, multiple Houthi missiles hit targets in the south, including in Lahj, Hadramout, Aden and Abyan. In January 2019, a Houthi drone attack hit al-Anad military base in southern Lahj province, killing at least six soldiers during a military parade. The Houthis at the time declared their responsibility for the attack, saying they targeted Saudi coalition personnel.
