Saudi-led Coalition Strikes Yemen After VIP Fails to Board 'Voluntary' Flight
The Saudi-led coalition claims it targeted separatist forces because Aidarous al-Zubaidi 'failed to board a plane for Riyadh.' The idea that a sovereign leader's travel itinerary (or lack thereof) justifies aerial bombardment is a diplomatic innovation. One might wonder if the 'failure' was less about scheduling and more about not wanting to be detained . This isn't diplomacy; it's an armed escort
with extra steps. This coalition, backed by billions in U.S. arms, has previously 'lost track' of Saudi fighter jets over Yemen, only for them to mysteriously reappear after leveling civilian targets. (Associated Press, 2018; UN Reports on Yemen, 2020). The international community, fresh off its spirited defense of 'rules-based order' elsewhere, predictably offers a muted response. Perhaps because
the 'rules' here are written in the sand with U.S.-supplied weaponry. How many 'peace talks' begin with a mandatory flight and end with precision strikes?