The Houthis – The world’s bully

In her article entitled, “The nighttime battle for legitimacy – Houthi psychological warfare,” Israeli political scientist Erga Atad paints a picture of the consummate bully, who uses the frightening advantage of nighttime attacks in order to ramp up the shock effect towards its enemy. 

And while Israelis have been scrambling from their beds, in the middle of the night, over the last couple of weeks, they are not the only ones who are at the receiving end of these bullying tactics.

The Houthis, a ragtag tribe, who, with the help of Iran, rose to prominence, by replacing Hamas and Hezbollah as their dominant proxy fighters, have provided oxygen to the mullahs, who hope that they would succeed where the others failed. 

But their actions are not solely directed at the Jewish state. The Houthis have sent a clear message, to the entire world, that they are a force, with which to be reckoned, proving that by their hold on the Red Sea, as they continue to enforce a blockade against ships heading to Israel.  Already they have attacked over 100 civilian vessels with missiles, claiming that this is revenge for Israel’s defense as the fighting in Gaza goes on.

Unafraid to tangle with the American superpower as well as the U.K., they have brazenly attacked assets from these two countries, as well as “some of the world’s biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, which could potentially cause a shock to the global economy.”  

It should be noted that Egypt, too, has been economically affected, leaving them no alternative but to fight back, as a result of their “$7 billion loss of revenues from the Suez Canal, due to Houthi attacks.” Such an Egyptian military response is said to be forthcoming in the very near future. 

China, is yet another country, which has had its conflict with the Houthis, who have threatened their ships, which has great potential to harm their commercial interests.  But rather than joining forces with other affected nations, China has, instead, chosen to leverage the situation in order to criticize US policy which they claim has “fueled an unjust war and contributed to regional instability.”

So, while the Houthis, composed of nearly 150,000 fighters, if Al Jazeera’s count is to be believed, are busily wreaking havoc upon global markets and worldwide assets, few countries seem to be coming together, in a unified effort, to put a decisive end to the stronghold of this primitive group of rebels, who have become intoxicated with their newfound ability to stymie formidable armies and nations, in a way that only the mightiest ever could.

Callously indifferent to the suffering of their own people, needed humanitarian aid has been delayed as a result of Houthi aggression towards ships, including those which are carrying the food and supplies for Yemenis, many of whom are said to be suffering from severe malnutrition. So they are hated by their own people, who must bear the brunt of consequences directed at Houthis who have put their local population in harm’s way.  

But why should the Houthis care – or for that matter, the rest of the world, whose sympathies and outrage only seem to be reserved for Gazans, who they claim are being ill-treated by Israelis.

In short, it would appear that the Houthi rebels have effectively managed to make the world hold its breath, when it comes to industry, and other matters, without causing them to reach the boiling point that finally sends the message, “We’ve had enough! You will no longer be able to terrorize humanity while we passively sit by and do nothing!”

That is the type of outrage needed in order to defeat this behemoth of a foe, who is cleverly holding the world hostage as it continues its global psychological warfare.

But, as we know, everyone eventually reaches their limit as to how much they are willing to take from a bully. And while defeating that tyrant may seem like a daunting task, defeated he must be! Because the more he feels empowered, the more exhilarated he will be tempted to terrorize. 

It is, therefore, up to the nations of the world to come to the same conclusion -  that they can no longer be controlled and dominated by an evil force, supported by Iran, whose aspirational goal is to use their future nuclear weapons to force the world’s population into submission to their political and religious fanaticism.  

Only together, in a concentrated effort to free mankind from the grip of this oppressor, who enjoys tormenting and intimidating its fellow humans, will we be able to overcome and achieve victory! While that will require putting aside political and ideological differences, for the sake of winning, each government must realize that, not to do so, will result in the bondage and loss of freedoms for all.

Consequently, there is no choice for those who aspire to resume the unfettered liberty they once enjoyed, realizing maximum profit and the ability to engage in free trade that benefits their citizens and their economy. Because that is what is presently being hampered, much to the glee of those who despise freedom and independence.

It’s important to understand that the Zaydi branch of Islam, the religion practiced by the Houthis, contends that its followers are the “righteous inheritors and designated guardians of the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad.” So, given the subjective belief that theirs is a divine mission, to which they must devote their lives, it is not likely that they will ever capitulate in what they view as the obligation of a heavenly mandate, which must be executed to its completion.

Everyone might be best served by taking Erga Atad’s advice, which starts out by suggesting that “Israel must maintain its moral advantage” as well as seeking “international cooperation” with others who are also in the Houthis’ sights. 

In the spirit of Atad’s message, the world cannot afford to be psychologically manipulated and controlled by these immoral fighters, who are doing their best to cripple everyone that refuses to surrender to their warped ideology. The weapon of psychological warfare must not prevail over the rights which have been granted to each individual, because if that happens, life will no longer be a cherished commodity.