West media impose blackout on Yemen war: Analyst

Press TV has interviewed Sara Flounders, co-director of the International Action Center, in New York, to discuss the Yemen war’s lack of coverage in Western media.

Following is a rough transcription.

Press TV: The Saudi aggression on Yemen seems to be a forgotten war, if I may say, as far as the Western media is concerned. There is very little mention of it and very little outrage. Why do you think that is so?

Flounders: Well, really because Saudi Arabia has behind it, full US support and cover and we could see this operating in Geneva, where rather than an independent UN investigation, really even an investigation into the crime Saudi Arabia is committing in its war against Yemen, was put into the hands of Saudi Arabia itself.

What a farce that is? What a complete farce! It is known around the world, also, the role of the US in not only supporting this and providing cover, but not one Saudi aircraft could take off without US satellite reconnaissance, air refueling, the blockade of Yemen could not take part without the role of the US Navy.

So that really has an impact also in the media, here in the US and internationally, in pushing this off the front pages and what is a very deadly war. But a war also, where Saudi Arabia is not doing very well, even though they have all the equipment and enormous backup.

Press TV: Speaking of that, has Yemen become a quagmire for the Saudis where they are stuck now, they have no exit strategy and they need to save face and show some form of results on the ground?

Flounders: Well, it certainly seems to be a quagmire; terrible and devastating for the people of Yemen; the least developed country of the entire region. Really, a very poor country that is even lacking not only food, but water itself. So a blockade has a desperate impact, the closing of hospitals is a horrendous impact, but at the same time Saudi Arabia has been unable to win and this is the problem. They have been unable to destroy the Ansarullah movement, which really has continued with a number of very important military victories even, including the destruction of an air tower, including real hits on the Saudi military forces and forces of United Arab Emirates and others who are collaborating in this destructive war.

So it has certainly been shown that the Ansarullah movement has broad support and creative military tactics, even though they do not have the advanced equipment that Saudi Arabia does have and that is a problem, because if Saudi Arabia is unable to crush this force, then their real weakness is seen in the eyes of the world and the people of the region.

Press TV: What is the solution here though to stop what is happening in Yemen now; it is over six months of war, 6400 people dead, most of them civilians. Where does it go from here? How can this be resolved?

Flounders: well, first of all, Saudi Arabia has to stop the bombing. That is absolutely essential, there needs to be ceasefire and a negotiated settlement where all the force, and this was Ansarullah’s demand from the beginning, that all of the forces, including Ansarullah movement, must be able to participate in any future peace agreement and any negotiated settlement and that is certainly,  a Saudi imposed dictatorship, will not be accepted.

So if there is any guidelines that include a negotiated settlement, with all the participants having a row and an end into Saudi bombing, this could be settled tomorrow.

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