True friends help in times of crisis
Comment: The GCC has done everything for Pakistan, Morocco and Egypt yet they have failed to fully aid the campaign in Yemen, says Mohammad Saleh al-Musfir.
3 min read
16 Apr, 2015
Jordan supports the Saudi-led operation against the Houthis [AFP]
The Saudi-led operation in Yemen was launched in response to President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi's calls for help.
Hadi wanted an Arab intervention to protect his country from forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and Iranian-backed Houthi militias.
Since the operation began, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been inundated with statements of support from some, but not all, neighbouring countries.
In Pakistan, the government announced its support after crowds gathered calling for their country to take part. Its flag was raised alongside the Saudi flag in al-Baha region in the south-west of the kingdom to show Pakistan's support for the war.
However, GCC countries were surprised when the Pakistani parliament later announced its unanimous decision to "remain neutral in the war".
Pakistan has the right to make democratic decisions, but it is worth noting that has turned to GCC countries for help whenever it has faced an economic or political crisis.
The Pakistani parliament did not oppose the occupation of Afghanistan or the US-led invasion of Iraq. GCC countries have supported Pakistan against India over Kashmir.
Is this because Iran put pressure on Pakistan during the recent visit of Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, to Islamabad?
In Morocco, politicians are debating if they should support the Saudi-led operation.
We, the people of the Arab Gulf are surprised by their reaction.
We would like to remind them that GCC countries have supported them over the Western Sahara conflict in every international forum.
We have funded development projects in Morocco, and Saudi Arabia even suggested it should become the seventh GCC member state.
So why are Moroccan civil society organisations, constitutional experts and political leaders opposing the operation?
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has given his support to the campaign in Yemen, and sent figher jets.
He has also sent ships to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, to protect the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
However, there have been protests in front of the Saudi embassy in Cairo against the war and GCC countries, even though demonstrations have been banned.
Media personalities close to Sisi have also taken part in campaigns against Saudi Arabia.
Jordan is the only country that has remained loyal.
The Jordanian airforce and special forces soldiers are ready to take part. We have not been attacked by the Jordanian media. The Jordanian parliament has supported us even though GCC countries have not done enough to help the Jordanian people.
We give billions of dollars to Egypt. We have saved if from bankruptcy and supported its political system, but the country has not shown it appreciates our efforts.
Jordan needs petrol, diesel and gas and God has blessed us with that wealth. Why don't we repay Jordan by supplying its energy needs and treating it with the utmost respect?
My friend is anyone who protects me from evil, and supports me against my enemies. The Jordanian people are helping to protect us from evil.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of al-Araby al-Jadeed, its editorial board or staff.
Hadi wanted an Arab intervention to protect his country from forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and Iranian-backed Houthi militias.
Since the operation began, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been inundated with statements of support from some, but not all, neighbouring countries.
In Pakistan, the government announced its support after crowds gathered calling for their country to take part. Its flag was raised alongside the Saudi flag in al-Baha region in the south-west of the kingdom to show Pakistan's support for the war.
However, GCC countries were surprised when the Pakistani parliament later announced its unanimous decision to "remain neutral in the war".
Pakistan has the right to make democratic decisions, but it is worth noting that has turned to GCC countries for help whenever it has faced an economic or political crisis.
The Pakistani parliament did not oppose the occupation of Afghanistan or the US-led invasion of Iraq. GCC countries have supported Pakistan against India over Kashmir.
Is this because Iran put pressure on Pakistan during the recent visit of Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, to Islamabad?
 |
In Morocco, politicians are intensely debating if they should support the Saudi-led operation. |
We, the people of the Arab Gulf are surprised by their reaction.
We would like to remind them that GCC countries have supported them over the Western Sahara conflict in every international forum.
We have funded development projects in Morocco, and Saudi Arabia even suggested it should become the seventh GCC member state.
So why are Moroccan civil society organisations, constitutional experts and political leaders opposing the operation?
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has given his support to the campaign in Yemen, and sent figher jets.
He has also sent ships to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, to protect the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
However, there have been protests in front of the Saudi embassy in Cairo against the war and GCC countries, even though demonstrations have been banned.
Media personalities close to Sisi have also taken part in campaigns against Saudi Arabia.
Jordan is the only country that has remained loyal.
The Jordanian airforce and special forces soldiers are ready to take part. We have not been attacked by the Jordanian media. The Jordanian parliament has supported us even though GCC countries have not done enough to help the Jordanian people.
We give billions of dollars to Egypt. We have saved if from bankruptcy and supported its political system, but the country has not shown it appreciates our efforts.
Jordan needs petrol, diesel and gas and God has blessed us with that wealth. Why don't we repay Jordan by supplying its energy needs and treating it with the utmost respect?
My friend is anyone who protects me from evil, and supports me against my enemies. The Jordanian people are helping to protect us from evil.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of al-Araby al-Jadeed, its editorial board or staff.
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