NEW YORK // The withdrawal of US troops from Yemen has jeopardised Washington’s efforts to promote its counterterrorism strategy there as a template for success.
Just six months ago, the White House tried to present Yemen as a model for its two-pronged counterterrorism programme, with US drone strikes and commando raids coupled with the training and advising of local forces who provide vital intelligence and take ownership of the fight. However, the US withdrew 125 special operations troops – its last forces in Yemen – from Al Anad air base on Saturday. The decision came after Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula stormed the nearby southern city of Al Houta, threatening to push the country closer towards a sectarian war.
Until then, the US had been training and advising Yemeni military and tribal fighters.
The US lost its crucial base against Aqap, considered the greatest terrorist threat to the US homeland, just as the group is moving to exploit Yemen’s growing conflict to gain territory and support through local tribes. There are also signs ISIL hopes to use the power vacuum to expand, as it has done successfully in Libya.
The US counterterrorism model in Yemen was not without its critics, who said that while the frequent targeting of mid-level leadership may have disrupted its ability to attack the west, the unpopular drone strikes played into Aqap’s narrative and the group actually gained new adherents. But the deepening conflict and withdrawal of US forces jeopardises the many gains the US did make against the militants.
The US state department says the loss of special operators will not affect counterterrorism capabilities, and American drones have continued their controversial strikes since most personnel were pulled from Yemen last month.
“We continue to actively monitor threats and have resources prepared in the region to address them,” spokeswoman Marie Harf said on Monday. Drones flying from bases in Africa and the Gulf will still carry out strikes, and other assets can monitor electronic communications.
But security experts and US military officials say the withdrawal could have significant implications for counterterrorism operations efforts in Yemen such as on-the-ground intelligence networks, the capacity of local forces and relationships with southern tribes. The loss of such capabilities in Iraq has hampered the US-led coalition’s fight against ISIL.
“Any time you lose the ability to train and assist, it brings your counterterrorism programme to a screeching halt,” said Jim Reese, a retired Delta Force commander who served in the Middle East. “You lose momentum, you lose access, you lose a lot of things when you have to pull out.”
Yemen’s president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi was a close counterterrorism partner for the US, until he was forced to flee south to Aden after being ousted by Houthi rebels. Before that, US special forces were deeply involved in Yemeni ground operations against Aqap.
The US force acted as forward observers and combat advisers who provided tactical intelligence and even called in airstrikes, said Captain Robert A Newson, a US navy Seal who led the US Special Operations Command in Yemen from 2010 to 2012, told the US military’s Combating Terrorism Center journal last month.
US special operators, while not legally allowed to engage in combat, also picked up intelligence available only through sustained close interaction with local counterparts.
“We’re not getting face-to-face debriefs from Yemenis, communication becomes fewer and farther between now,” Mr Reese said.
“The US had a lot of partners in the Yemeni security apparatus, and most of those have been lost because of Ansar Allah,” said Charles Schmitz, a professor at Towson University and expert on Yemeni politics and counterterrorism policy, referring to the Houthis’ military arm.
As Yemeni forces opposed to the Houthis frame the conflict in increasingly sectarian terms – a narrative bolstered by Iran’s overt military and financial support for the rebels – Yemen experts fear that southern tribes may be persuaded to support Aqap. The provision of basic services by the terrorist group could also add to their appeal.
A double suicide bombing claimed by ISIL supporters killed nearly 150 Zaidi worshippers during Friday prayers last week.
Some Aqap commanders are reportedly considering a merger with ISIL, and a split within the Al Qaeda group would add yet another layer of complexity to the chaos.
Aqap has proven to be the most committed and capable Al Qaeda affiliate in terms of planning serious attacks against the West, and officials fear that civil war in Yemen could provide them more time and space to plot.
As Yemeni government forces crumble, the southern tribes could be Washington’s best potential ally in its fight against Aqap, the analysts said.
“When national coherence is declining, like we are currently seeing in Yemen, it sure would be a strategic asset, even a game changer, to have a relationship with the southern Yemeni tribes,” Captain Newson told the CTC Sentinel.
But without a US presence and relationships on the ground, dissuading Yemen’s southern tribes from allying with Aqap against the Houthis will be even more difficult.
However, the rise of Houthi power may work to America’s advantage. The Shiite rebels have already scored a major victory over Aqap in Bayda province, and shown they are willing to sustain heavy losses. Last Friday’s mosque bombings have only bolstered that resolve.
In the short term, it “spells trouble for Al Qaeda if the Houthis come pouring in” to gain control in the south, Mr Schmitz said. If there is a more protracted insurgency-style war waged by Aqap, “they would be too busy doing that than trying to hurt the United States”.
tkhan@thenational.ae
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Cashew%0D%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202020%0D%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Ibtissam%20Ouassif%20and%20Ammar%20Afif%0D%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%0D%3Cbr%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%2410m%0D%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Mashreq%2C%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
