Abbas' mistake in supporting Saudi strike

Palestinian Authority Head Mahmoud Abbas has supported the Saudi-led military invasion of Yemen in an Arab conference in Egypt. The advocacy may remind one of the historical mistake of the late PA head Yasser Arafat in 1991 in supporting Saddam Hossein’s invasion of Kuwait that ensued dear repercussions him.

Arafat was isolated due to his position and led a weakened position in the PA talks with Israel, leaving a legacy of pressures for the Palestinians. Late, it was known that the then Iraqi regime and its allies were heading to a trap.

History appears to be repeating with Mahmoud Abbas serving in place of Yasser Araraft and Mohammad bin Salman (Saudi defense minister who issued the order to attack Yemen) in place of Saddam.

One may trace a Zionist hand in both scenarios with the Saudi attack giving an immediate bonus to Israel. The Saudi attack would give Israel a sigh of relief over the status of Bab al-Mandab and the possible Houthi’s control over the strategic waterway.

The PA support however would not have any benefit for the Palestinians rather it would prove detrimental. Abbas has apparently pinned hope in an Arab armed coalition for advancing the Palestinian cause however the Arab coalition has a defined strategy that would not cover the Palestinian issue: after Yemen, it would head for Islamists in Libya and the Muslim Brotherhood in the region.