Riyadh failed to achieve goals in Yemen war: Analyst

Press TV has conducted an interview with James Jatras, former US Senate foreign policy analyst from Washington, to get his take on the effectiveness of Ansarullah’s retaliatory attacks in reversing the Al Saud regime’s warmongering policies against neighboring Yemen.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: How effective have the retaliatory attacks by the Ansarullah movement been enforcing Saudi Arabia to back down on its war policy?

Jatras: So, they haven’t been. It’s unclear from the reports exactly how much damage has been done by these missiles. It’s interesting to notice that in the Western media the only real reporting on this is that Saudi Arabia evidently was able to shoot one Scud at least down with the US Patriot missile. It’s unclear who is operating that Patriot battery or these Patriot capabilities, but it does point out that the Yemeni side seems to be choosing a wide range of targets. I would say primarily for political effect more than military effect.

Press TV: Given the relentless resistance by Yemenis against the Saudi aggression and their intensifying retaliatory attacks on Saudi soil, how much could we say Riyadh has definitely failed in its campaign and goals?

Jatras: Certainly the campaign has not achieved any objectives as far as I can see, and as these attacks show. There are not going to be cost free even if militarily they can’t inflict that much damage on the Saudis. One does wonder politically what these will do to them in the long term. Let’s keep in mind, the attacks that occurred also that seem to be blow-back from their support for terrorists in Syria and in Iraq. I think that the Saudis cannot continue these campaigns. And I would consider the aggressive policy on more than one front without thinking that there are going to be consequences.

Press TV: How optimistic are you about the upcoming Geneva talks, to settle this crisis, considering the fact that they were once postponed because of preconditions?

Jatras: I’m not optimistic about any of talks whether we’re talking about Yemen or we’re talking about Syria. The fact is that when you have that priority demand about what must be achieved [in the talks], there is not much hope that they will mount anything. I think it’s important to stop support for terrorists, stop the military campaign in Yemen and then see what can be done politically.

ABN/MKA

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk