U.S. special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said Thursday that Iran-backed Yemeni terrorist group Houthi, following the destruction and subsequent overthrow of Iran's other regional proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, at the hands of Israel. Sect leaders said they were determined to keep a low profile. Iranian client Bashar al-Assad was killed by Sunni Muslim rebels in Syria.
“The Houthi leaders have lowered their profile, at least physically, and there is a fear that they will be targeted like other leaders in the region,” Lenderking said. spoke at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference held in Qatar.
“I think this reflects the reality of what's going on in the region, but it hasn't diminished their ability or their willingness or their determination to bombard ships,” he said.
“Since the decline of Hezbollah and Hamas, the Houthis have always stood up and continued to beat the drum of reckless and indiscriminate attacks. However, when it comes to their own security and position, they pay attention to what is happening in the region. “It's better,” he advised.
“Look at what's happening with Hezbollah, Hamas and their comrades in Syria. Most Yemenis don't really like the Houthis. There's increasing pressure on the Houthis to change course.” said.
The Houthis currently appear to be the most secure of Iran's regional proxies, but that doesn't really tell us much. Hamas barbarians start a war and they On the verge of collapse Lebanon's Hezbollah intervened to support Hamas' rocket attacks, but many of its leaders were annihilated by Israel in retaliation. excluded.
Infantrymen from Iraq's Shiite militias, bought by Iran, have decided not to get involved in the Syrian uprising. send Hundreds of fighters crossed the border. Asad is fell down After less than two weeks of fighting, his forces were shattered, without strong support from Russia and Iran, neither of which could afford to provide further support.
This leaves the Houthis. attack It has carried out global shipping through the Red Sea over the past year, ostensibly to punish Israel for its war effort in Gaza. The Houthis also launched Several missiles and drones were fired at Israel.
As Lenderking noted, the Houthis continued to attack civilian ships nonetheless. punitive air strikes From the United States and its allies. The Israelis also bombed Houthis targeted in Yemen.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said On Tuesday, the Houthis again launched a swarm of missiles and drones at commercial ships, but said the attack was repelled by a US Navy destroyer escorting the civilian ship.
Centcom said the attack by the Houthis this month was the second time the navy had intercepted it. The first attack occurred on the night of November 30th. No injuries or damage were reported in either attack.
Lenderking said he hoped the fall of the Assad regime would bring about change in Yemen, implying that many civilians in Houthi-controlled areas are tired of being ruled by Shiite Islamic extremists. . He said recent visits to the region “reflect growing frustration with the Houthis' strong refusal to actually send any signals that they are interested in de-escalating tensions.”
Lenderking said the U.S. is working with allies to stop arms smuggling to the Houthis, but Yemeni militants are more self-sufficient than other Iranian proxies and have received significant amounts of He also admitted that he is now able to manufacture his own weapons.
The US envoy said that before the Houthis could ease attacks on ships in the Red Sea, “the US must withdraw its ships from the region, increase foreign aid to Yemen, demobilize the Houthis, etc.” He said he has a list of “very specific things he wants us to do.” Designated as a terrorist organization.
“No matter how that is achieved, even if we are able to suspend Red Sea attacks, the long-term problems between the Houthis and the Red Sea remain,” he said.
of new york times (New York Times) reported Massive disruption to the shipping industry due to Houthi attacks continues to cost the world billions of dollars, it said on Wednesday.
Houthi harassment has forced most international ships to sail through Africa, and the Suez Canal has virtually disappeared. This has increased shipping costs by more than 200% over the past year, increasing strain on crews and forcing ships to consume more fuel. Meanwhile, Suez Canal revenues have fallen by 60%, a major financial blow to the Egyptian government.
Israel Hayom on thursday quotation Israeli Defense Force (IDF) analysts have warned that the fall of Assad's regime could galvanize the Houthis. increase This is because they see an opportunity to take a “leading role in attacking Israel.”
