What Yemenis think about the war with the US — RT World News

Yemen has been at war since 2015, when a Western-backed Arab coalition attacked the country in an attempt to overthrow the Houthi rebels, whom they viewed as pro-Iranian extremists. Although a truce was reached between the warring parties last September, tensions in the region rose again. A Yemeni political analyst says this is due to the actions of Israel and its allies in Gaza.

Hussein Al-Bukhaiti, a political analyst based in Sanaa, was not surprised when the United States – along with a number of regional and international players – launched a series of attacks on Yemen last Friday.

The attacks were carried out by American and British warplanes, submarines, and ships. They targeted the military infrastructure of the Houthis, the Islamist group that controls most parts of Yemen and has links to Iran, meaning it is considered extremist in the eyes of the West.

The Western attacks came in response to what they consider to be months-long Houthi harassment of ships passing through Bab al-Mandab, the narrow strait that connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. The Houthi attacks have had a negative impact on trade in the region. They raised the prices of goods because shipping companies refused to sail in the region, and that is what the United States has pledged to change.

But Al-Bukhaiti is certain that the reason for the Western attack was not related to the economy.

“The United States and its allies have started a new war simply because they want Israel to continue its massacre and mass killing of the Palestinian people. They cannot allow a situation that will lead to this.” [Israeli-Palestinian] War can change.”

Israel has been waging a war on Gaza militants since October 7, 2023, when thousands of terrorists infiltrated southern Israeli communities, killing more than 1,400 people and wounding more than 5,000 others. In the past 100 days of the conflict, as part of its efforts to eliminate Hamas and other Islamist groups, Israel has destroyed multiple military sites belonging to Palestinian factions. It reportedly killed more than 9,000 of their fighters. But it also claimed the lives of more than 23,000 civilians and caused a profound humanitarian crisis.

according to EstimatesA quarter of Gaza's 2.2 million people suffer from hunger. Most do not have access to fresh water, only 4% of which is considered potable. Basic hygiene products are too absent; Medicines and vital medical services are out of reach.

Al-Bukhaiti says that his country cannot stand idly by “Watching these atrocities.” That is why they decided to intervene for the sake of the Palestinian people.

“A lot of people ask me why we need to intervene in a crisis happening thousands of miles from our borders. But let me tell you: In 1939, Great Britain declared war on Nazi Germany over its invasion of Poland, even though the country was miles from London.” “. The analyst said.

“It does not matter how far away the state is. What matters is the principle. We cannot lose our dignity and our moral standing by simply sitting back and watching the tragedy in Gaza unfold.” he added.

However, this decision to help the Palestinians may cost the Houthis dearly. Since 2015, when the group extended its control over northern Yemen, a coalition of Arab countries headed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has been waging a war against them. The goal was to expel the Houthis because they were seen as extremists and loyal to Iran, Riyadh's main rival.

Until 2021, this struggle continues claimed The lives of more than 150 thousand people. More than 200,000 others died due to hunger and the spread of diseases, a direct result of that war.

Last September, the warring parties finally agreed to lay down arms, paving the way for a potential long-term truce. But rounds of Western attacks on Yemen risk plunging the country and the entire region into another bloody conflict, Al-Bukhaiti warns.

“I am sure that the American aggression will not remain unanswered.” The analyst said Monday morning. “We will go down in history textbooks as the nation that sank or damaged an American ship for the first time since World War II.” he added.

Hours later, on Monday night, the Houthis did just that. According to reports, the rebels hit the US-owned and operated dry bulk ship Gibraltar Eagle with an anti-ship ballistic missile, although no casualties were reported.

Yahya Saree, spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, confirmed that the response to the American and British attacks was “no escape” And that no future attack will occur “Without punishment.”

“War in the region is just a matter of time. But the ones who will lose from this war are the United States and the United Kingdom. For many years, Yemen has been known as a graveyard for invaders, and history will repeat itself.”

However, Al-Bukhaiti believes it is still possible to ease tensions and prevent a major conflict. But for that to happen, he says, two conditions must be met.

The first is that the West should do so “Leave the area and stop spreading chaos in the area.” The second thing is for Israel to stop its aggression against Gaza.

“Our demand is simple: the blockade of Gaza must be lifted. Food, water, fuel and medicine should be allowed in. This is the demand of various NGOs and human rights groups. This is what demonstrators around the world have been protesting about.

“But Western governments do not want to listen to the calls of public opinion. They have proven that they are tyrants, not democrats. Until they change their position, Yemen will continue to fight. There is no doubt about that.” Al-Bukhaiti concluded.