The two statements given last Saturday have reaffirmed the equal determination of both Saudi Arabia and Yemen to uproot and defeat the Huthi insurgency, and to thwart the goals of those who are behind it, and who support it with funds, arms and equipment. The first statement was given by the Assistant Minister of Defence and Aviation His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Sultan, while visiting the frontlines of the battle that his country's forces are fighting against the Huthi aggressors, and in which he said: “It has become necessary for us and for our men to deal with these rash and irresponsible actions; our soldiers have taught the evil aggressors a lesson they will never forget. They have fought well and outsmarted the enemy using the latest military techniques, which the brazen rebels did not expect”. The second statement was given by the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who said: “The war will never stop no matter how much money or martyrs it costs. There will be no dialogue…no let up in the battle until we bring this tyrannical, traitorous and mercenary group to an end”. But what is the exact extent of the Huthis' strength in Yemen, and subsequently their ability to be mischievous within the Saudi territories? How is it that Iranian weapons are finding their way to the Huthis? Is Yemen not capable of shutting down the flow of arms smuggled to its territories from Tehran?! Did the Huthi leadership not take into account the Saudi ground and air capabilities that are able to suppress their firepower? Are the Huthis' objectives focused on destabilizing Yemen and the border with Saudi Arabia, and on dragging the latter into a war that Iran alone will benefit from? There is no doubt that the battle is settled in advanced in favour of the Saudi armed forces, given the asymmetry of power, and even if the Huthi insurgency continues its skirmishes with tactics of guerrilla warfare as the Huthi movement is carrying out a sabotage mission by Iran's proxy. This latter is in fact attempting to provoke Saudi Arabia into entering a battle that serves Iran's expansionist goals, policies and ambitions, in addition to Tehran's desire to start a crisis prior to the pilgrimage season in order to divert attention away from it, and to transform it from a religious rite to a season of political slogans. The mere fact that the Huthis dared raid areas within Saudi Arabia, aiming their rifles and guns to kill its citizens gives the latter the full right to uproot this movement and crush its gangs, and those who are behind them and who incite them, and to punch it and kick it and put an end to this absurd charade of a regional nature. The fact of the matter is that prudence, careful deliberation and not rushing to make any declarations before obtaining complete information are indeed some of the traditions followed in Saudi politics, as the Kingdom is a country that is ever in search for stability and peace, and that forgoes many major and minor transgressions against it. Saudi Arabia also refuses as such to be drawn into pointless conflicts, so as not to amplify problems into becoming new hotbeds for perturbations in the region. However, the Huthis have this time brought a disaster upon themselves; while those who have pushed them into such recklessness will not be of any benefit to them, Saudi Arabia will not be forgiving with those who are trying to bring chaos into its own territories, and it is its right to continue military action in order to end those pockets of rebellion, following this dangerous violation of its territory and sovereignty. Moreover, the Saudi policy habitually avoids the methods of squabbling and haggling, which Iran likes, practices and is familiar with. Conversely, Iranian President Ahmadinejad and his henchmen called for transforming the Haj [Pilgrimage] season into an arena for bickering, sloganeering and misleading political propaganda, and then pushed the Huthi rebels to provoke a crisis on the Saudi border with Yemen, drawing the former into a battle that it does not want in order to pressure Riyadh both internally and abroad. This is in addition to Iran's aim of exporting its internal crises to other countries in the region by triggering their proxy groups, militias and gangs to move under the umbrella of “Wilayet al Faqih” [clerical rule]. All of the above spurred the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to rise up to military action in order to secure its border, and teach the rebels a historical lesson that will eliminate this rebellious movement and burry it forever. In fact, this Saudi military move to deter the Huthi aggressors enjoys broad popular support, which also means that no tolerance should be shown towards the establishment of a Huthi political movement based on a certain ideology and regional allegiance, and which moves according to foreign agendas and ambitions; otherwise, another nail in the coffin of the region will be struck along with Hezbollah in South Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine. A while ago, I wrote an article about Yemen which was entitled: “Has Yemen entered Intensive Care?” following the unpleasant news about the situation there. In the article, I warned like many others that the fires of the Huthi rebels may spread to the Saudi border if no clear defensive contingency plan was put in place. This was, and still is particularly valid when riots, sabotage and clashes were taking place within Yemen, in addition to the voices among South Yemenis that are calling for secession alongside the North Yemeni Huthi rebellion. This is also not to mention the al-Qaeda members who are based in the rugged terrains of Yemen, which helps them plan their terrorist strikes from time to time, against both internal and external targets, out of the Yemeni territories. Iran is attempting to sow discord and to destabilize the security of the countries in the region, especially in the Arab Gulf States, after having had their way in Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine. However, what is puzzling is that some of these Gulf States are still silent about this, and have not uttered a word in condemnation of the Huthi rebellion, or in supporting Saudi Arabia, as if they are afraid of the Iranian reaction. This causes such countries to have a shaky image on the Gulf States' level, as if they are in conformity with these Iranian practices, or as if they are waiting for the ripe political moment to play a “marathon” role that they think is crucial. What is certain in the end is that Saudi Arabia will emerge victorious from this battle, and more stable and secure; it will deal a major blow to the Huthis, to al-Qaeda and to the “hypocrites” along with those who are behind them, and who are supporting them and sympathizing with them. Nonetheless, Yemen should be more present on the security level, and in controlling the flow of smuggled arms into the hands of those extremist gangs that are operating under a purely regional vision and agenda.
