Military officials confirmed on Tuesday media reports stating that more U.S. troops have landed in Yemen,, as part of Washington-Sana'a military efforts against al-Qaeda in the region.
An estimated 1,700 troops arrived in Yemen on Monday: 1500 soldiers were immediately deployed to Anad strategic airbase in the southern province of Lahj, just south of Abyan and west of the eastern province of Hadhramawt, while 200 soldiers were transferred to the capital where they will assist U.S. Marines in keeping the American ambassy safe.
While the U.S. has often rejected the idea of a heavy foot-print in Yemen, opting instead for a military cooperation: training and military equipment, as well as the use of drones for its counter-terror strategy, the sudden arrival of American troops on Yemeni ground is fact becoming a source of controversy.
Several media outlets have advanced the possibility of a wider military ground operation of sorts.
It was back in May 2012 that Washington first announced it would send troops in Yemen to increase pressure on al-Qaeda and help support as well as train Yemen anti-terror units.
At the time when asked whether the U.S. Was looking at setting up a military base in Yemen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey responded, "the point is trying to build their capacity, not use our own."
Whether or not related, the arrival of yet more American troops to Yemen coincide with a remark made by U.S. Senator John McCain early June that the Houthis (a group of Zaidi rebel organized under the leadership of Abdel-Malek al-Houthi) are now posing a bigger threat to Yemen' stability than al-Qaeda.