ASSESSMENTS

Why Sunni Unity Is a Myth

May 5, 2015 | 09:00 GMT

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition that is conducting operations in Yemen, speaks to the media in Riyadh on March 26.

(FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

Yemen is the newest battleground in the growing struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran, two regional and sectarian rivals. With the Saudis leading a military intervention in Yemen against the Iranian-supported Houthi movement, there has been much talk of a Sunni camp mobilizing to counter the threat posed by ascendant Shiite forces. However, competing interests will hobble the fledgling Sunni alliance.

Forecast

  • Competing interests will keep a Sunni camp from coalescing.
  • Saudi Arabia and Turkey are at odds with each other over the future of the Arab world.
  • Pakistan is far removed from the Middle East and does not feel close sectarian ties to Saudi Arabia.
  • The Saudi-led coalition acting in Yemen is more an Arab grouping than a Sunni bloc, and differences exist even among the Arabs.

Although Sunni countries are working together, divergent interests will hamper any efforts to form a tight-knit bloc....

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