Aden (South24 Center)

The French Press Agency (AFP) reported on November 19 that the United States has asked the internationally recognized Yemeni government to consider participating in an international force planned for deployment in the Gaza Strip, as part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the territory.

The agency stated that Washington has already initiated preliminary discussions with several Arab and Asian countries to contribute to a multinational force being readied under the provisional name "International Stabilization Force." This follows the UN Security Council's November 17 vote endorsing Trump's peace plan and authorizing the deployment of a transitional force aimed at securing Gaza and reshaping security structures after military operations conclude.

According to the agency's report, citing five Yemeni officials, including a senior diplomat, a military official, and a figure from the Presidential Leadership Council, the American request involved exploring the possibility of a Yemeni contribution to the international force, even if limited. This could involve sending officers or soldiers to participate in operations rooms or communications for logistical purposes, not direct combat operations.

One diplomat told the agency that the Yemeni government has not yet made its final decision but indicated that the room for refusal is narrow, given the sensitivity of relations with the United States and the coalition supporting the Aden-based government.

The diplomat stated that participation, “if it occurs”, would be largely symbolic, adding that Yemen is still studying the political and security aspects associated with the American request, particularly given the fragile internal situation.

The agency reported that the US Department of State declined to confirm or deny making a direct request to the Yemeni government, merely stating that the department "does not comment on private diplomatic conversations."

The White House provided no additional details regarding the countries Washington has contacted to form the international force, as the Trump administration faces political challenges in ensuring Arab and Islamic participation in a force that could be a sensitive focal point during Gaza's transition phase.

This development coincides with accelerated American efforts toward establishing a long-term ceasefire in Gaza and activating a broader political plan involving reconstruction and restructuring of the territory under international supervision.

The agency noted that establishing the international force faces significant political and logistical obstacles, as several countries have reservations about participating in a mission that could be interpreted as part of security arrangements imposed by the United States and Israel.

Joining the force is likely to invite the risk of political exploitation by the Houthi group to escalate its rhetoric against the government and its regional allies, given domestic public sensitivity toward the Palestinian cause and the war in Gaza.

According to the AFP report, discussions between the United States and the Yemeni government remain in their early stages, and no formal written request has been submitted as yet.