The Houthis' Strategic Decisions and Their Impact on the Gulf of Aden
Many continue to misjudge the strategic decisions made by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden. The actions and motivations of Ansarallah, often referred to as the Houthis, have been grossly misunderstood.
Blockade and Strategic Decisions
Until the intervention of the US and the UK under Netanyahu's order, the Houthis were diverting Israeli-owned flagged or vessels transporting goods to Israel through the Red Sea to the Cape of Good Hope route around Africa. This strategic move was in response to perceived threats from Israeli military operations and was not aimed at harming civilian vessels or causing environmental disasters.
The Houthis did not initiate any conflict by firing on ships or causing fatalities. They only seized 11 vessels for refusing to follow their orders. The use of force was minimal, as the threat alone was sufficient to make the civilian crew surrender. After this, all commercial vessels submitted to a simple inspection and were allowed to continue their journeys.
It is important to note that the Red Sea did not become a war zone until the entry of Operation Poseidon Sword, a joint military operation by the US and the UK. This intervention led to attacks on civilian inhabitants of Sanaa, Yemen's capital. After this incursion, the Houthis refrained from targeting non-US, UK, or Israeli vessels due to commercial restrictions and insurance policies. Commercial vessels were barred from entering the Gulf of Aden, not because of the Houthis' blockade, but due to prohibitions set by their insurance companies and corporate owners.
Operation Poseidon Sword and Legal Wrongs
The Joint Operation Poseidon Sword was not authorized by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), making the US and UK actions illegal and constituting a form of warfare. This illegal attack grants the Houthis the right to engage in self-defense. They have the legitimate justification to target US and UK military equipment, bases, and interests in the region. For instance, the Houthi's interference is a response to the continued US military presence across the Gulf of Aden, particularly the military base in Djibouti.
Intimidation and Persistence
The actions of the Houthis are not aimed at causing indiscriminate harm or sinking civilian ships. Instead, their primary goal has been to assert control over maritime trade routes and prevent Israeli commercial vessels from passing through the Gulf of Aden. With the recent attacks and US and UK intervention, the Houthis have further entrenched their stance, making it clear that no Israeli maritime trade will pass their territories.
Despite the narrative that they are "backward," the Houthis' determination and strategic persistence are testaments to their resilience. Their cause, while controversial, is deeply rooted in their cultural and political context. They are not murderous criminals like Israeli scums but are rather holding a firm line in defense of their sovereignty and against what they perceive as an unjustified military presence.