The Houthis: Menacing Middle Eastern militias

The world did not need the notorious Houthi terrorist group firing missiles at Israel from Yemen to realize their threat. This perilous display, rather than being a revelation, serves as a grim reminder of the looming danger posed by terrorist militias, unleashing havoc and turmoil. The turmoil unfolding in Gaza stands as a testament to the catastrophic consequences of such malevolent forces.

The calculated engagement of the Houthi terrorist militia in the strife between Israel and the Hamas terrorist movement is no happenstance. Instead, it is a premeditated scheme, meticulously crafted to sow discord, escalate the theater of war, and undermine any strides toward bolstering security, stability, and peace in the region.

The Houthi leadership is acutely aware that their missiles and drones lack the operational capability to breach Israel’s defenses. Whether due to logistical challenges or the formidable missile defense infrastructure fortified by Israel and the US, this provocative gesture appears symbolic. Its purpose seems to be baiting other stakeholders and inflaming the sentiments of Arab and Islamic populations against their respective leaders and governments.

In blunt terms, the maneuvers orchestrated by Lebanese Hezbollah or the Houthi militia in Yemen shouldn’t be misconstrued as acts in solidarity with the Palestinians. Instead, they unfold as part of a meticulous Iranian agenda executed through proxy terrorist agents. This agenda aims to preemptively ignite tensions in the Middle East, thereby sabotaging any prospects of peace agreements between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The Iranian expansionist project, reliant on sectarian militias, movements, and organizations, seeks to capitalize on the suffering and causes of the people, be it in Lebanon, Yemen, or Palestinian territories.

The conduct of the Houthi militia and the Lebanese Hezbollah group further muddles the landscape of the Middle East. The peril of terrorist militias intervening in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is evident, transforming a political discourse on fair and legitimate rights into an undesirable religious conflagration. Contrary to the wishes of Iran and its allies, the conflict with Israel is not inherently religious. However, Iran’s actions risk plunging the region and the world into the abyss of a religious conflict, exacting a toll on global security and stability.

Iran’s utilization of Hezbollah in Syria and its current deployment in the ongoing Israel conflict isn’t motivated by a genuine concern for the Hamas movement or the Palestinian cause. Instead, it aligns with Iran’s dual struggle for influence against Israel and the US. This struggle is divorced from the legitimate rights of Palestinians, cynically manipulated to garner sympathy among Arab and Islamic communities. Meanwhile, the Houthi militia’s destructive path in Yemen has now transgressed national borders, spreading chaos and terrorism, with the international community remaining silent even after Israeli and American air defenses neutralized threats in the Red Sea.

The involvement of Iran-affiliated militias, whether the Houthis or Hezbollah, in the Gaza conflict serves a critical Iranian agenda. This agenda aims to broaden the scope of conflict and draw in other regional actors. The multi-faceted conflicts in the region make it challenging to contain this escalation. Uncertainty looms over control, fueled by a complex mix of situational confusion, calculated military operations, and the widening impact compelling regional actors to safeguard their strategic interests. The passive response to Iran’s meticulous plan, unfolding since October 7, threatens to entangle the region and the world in a broadening conflict, potentially embroiling major powers either directly or indirectly.

The true quandary in the Middle East extends beyond merely eradicating the terrorist Hamas and other Palestinian organizations. It calls for the elimination of all militias from the region. The proliferation of these militias serves as an enticing model for emulation. Their persistent presence, intertwined with regional crises, provides a fillip to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard leaders’ theory of proxy war in various regional arenas. This adherence involves diverting significant resources from the Iranian people.

If President François Macron’s proposition for an international alliance to combat Hamas were to gain traction, its effectiveness could be enhanced by broadening its scope. This should encompass international opposition to militias scattered throughout the Middle East, offering a precise and formidable response to the menace posed by these groups.

Salem AlKetbi, UAE political analyst and former Federal National Council candidate