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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">What the West needs to know about Yemen's Ansar Allah</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Rasha Reslan</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time" dir="ltr">February 8, 2023<br></div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>The
West's failure to recognize Ansar Allah as a revolutionary movement may
escalate the risk of a full-blown war, with the West paying a high
price, ultimately leading to its defeat in West Asia.</p><img src="cid:ii_lsdeqkrb0" alt="0b963558-af6b-4321-9007-553e3fd0d422.jpg" width="444" height="349"><br><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
Sayyed Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi planted the foundations
for the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen in 2004. (Al Mayadeen English;
Illustrated by Arwa Makki)
</li></div></ul>
<p>The Ansar Allah movement has lately attracted international attention by <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/yemeni-missile-strikes-us-container-ship-near-yemen-coast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boldly defying major world powers</a>, particularly the United States, through their military actions to support Palestine amid the ongoing <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/day-121-in-gaza--27-365-palestinians-martyred--66-630-others" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Israeli genocide in Gaza</a>. </p>
<p>This decision comes at a time when even larger Arab nations refrain
from such interventions, despite Yemen itself enduring a decade of <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/everything-is-destroyed:-remembering-saudi-uae-massacres-in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US-backed Saudi-led aggression</a>
and grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis due to a yearslong
land, sea, and air blockade. In an attempt to thwart Yemen's efforts and
hinder Sanaa from enforcing its solidarity with Gaza, Washington and
the UK launched a series of attacks on the country in recent weeks, with
a plethora of media outlets shining their spotlights on the Ansar
Allah, whom they call "Houthis", hosting Orientalist pundits attempting
to 'crack their puzzle'.</p>
<p>The US, UK, and "Israel" persistently describe Ansar Allah as an
Iranian proxy, disregarding the movement's autonomy and independence.
This misunderstanding of this revolutionary movement may escalate the
risk of a full-blown war in the region, with the West paying a high
price, ultimately leading to its defeat in West Asia.</p>
<p>So who are the Ansar Allah exactly, and what are they fighting for?</p>
<h2>Who are the 'Houthis'? </h2>
<p>The term "Houthis" refers to an indigenous tribal group in Yemen that
originates from the Arab Hamdani tribe residing in northern Yemen, and
is a subdivision of the larger Banu Hamdan tribe. Their main settlements
are concentrated in the regions of 'Amran and Saada.</p>
<p>Since the early 2000s, and after the group began explicitly voicing
its anti-imperialist ideology, Western countries and think tanks, trying
to demoralize them and alienate them from their population, labeled
them as "Iranian proxies" and "terrorists" who should be eradicated.</p>
<p>However, it is essential to recognize that the "Houthis" trace their
roots back to the eighth century to the arrival of Zayd ibn Ali ibn
Hussein in Yemen.</p>
<p>Zayd ibn Ali (695–740) was the son of Ali ibn al-Hussain Zain
al-Abidin and the grandson of Imam Hussain ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib. He
initiated a revolution against the Umayyad caliphate, leading to his
martyrdom. Zayd ibn Ali's revolution was meant to oppose injustice like
his grandfather Imam Hussein, who was martyred at Karbala in southern
Iraq on 10 Muharram 61 AH (680 CE) by the army of Yazid Ibn Muawiya, the
Umayyad ruler at the time.</p>
<p>Zayd ibn Ali is recognized as a significant religious figure not only
among Shia Muslims but also by many Sunnis. Notably, Sunni jurist Abu
Hanifa issued a fatwa supporting Zayd against the Umayyads. Zayd remains
a pivotal revolutionary figure, with many Yemenis eventually becoming
Zaydis (believing that Zayd is the true imam after Hussein ibn Ali) and
is universally regarded as a martyr by both Sunni and Shia traditions,
one who planted the seeds of resisting oppression and of solidarity with
the oppressed.</p>
<p>Over the years, the "Houthis" developed their own historical
narrative and political movement known as Ansar Allah, which would grow
to surpass the "Houthi" element. Labeling all members of the tribal
confederacy in northern Yemen as "terrorists" or "Houthis" and
advocating for their indiscriminate elimination overlooks the complexity
of their history and political formation.</p>
<h3>Contemporary history</h3>
<ul id="gmail-content-slick-1"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
<a href="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/archive/image/2024/2/8/85ee3c28-5981-4333-b11f-e42446aa31e4.png?width=1000" tabindex="0"><img src="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/archive/image/2024/2/8/85ee3c28-5981-4333-b11f-e42446aa31e4.png?width=1000&preset=w750" alt="Sayyed Hussain Al-Houthi, the founder of the Ansar Allah" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img"></a>
Sayyed Hussein Al-Houthi, the founder of the Ansar Allah
</li></div></ul>
<div><p>Sayyed Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi laid the foundation for the
Ansar Allah movement in Yemen in 2004. During that period, Sayyed
al-Houthi described the early members of the Ansar Allah movement,
before it adopted this name, as a community of believers guided by the
principles of the Holy Quran. He refrained from associating the movement
with specific sectarian labels, underscoring its Islamic affiliation
and Quranic identity as inclusive principles capable of encompassing all
Muslims.</p><p> The Ansar Allah movement stood out in its political
aspect by advocating opposition to American and Israeli meddling in West
Asia, especially in Yemen.</p></div>
<p>"Sayyed Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi, in several lessons given under
the title 'Lessons from the Guidance of the Holy Qur’an,' emphasized
the US' active posturing against our nation", Yemeni diplomat Yasser
Mohesn Almohallil told <strong>Al Mayadeen English</strong>.</p>
<p>"Ansar Allah faced persistent harassment from the authorities during
the rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh. The regime made multiple attempts to
pressure Sayyed Hussein Al-Houthi into changing his well-known slogan."</p>
<p>"Despite these efforts, when the authorities failed to deter him,
they declared war against Sayyed Hussein and his supporters. The initial
confrontation occurred in the Maran area in northern Saada after he
[Saleh] returned from Washington with a shipment of weapons and U.S.
trainers," he further affirmed.</p>
<p>After Sayyed Hussein's martyrdom, the leadership was transferred to his father and then to his brother<a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/yemeni-missiles-push--israel--to-camouflage-red-sea-vessels" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi,</a> the current leader of Ansar Allah.</p>
<h2>How Ansar Allah evolved into a formidable US foe</h2>
<p>Ansar Allah, originating from Quranic principles laid down in 2001 by
Sayyed Hussein, faced six wars initiated by Ali Abdallah Saleh's
authority, with the sixth involving Saudi Arabia. At that time, Ansar
Allah had limited resources, armed only with AK rifles, while the
government possessed advanced weaponry, most notably F-16 aircraft,
tanks, artillery, and anti-aircraft weapons, Ansar Allah Resistance
fighter Hammam Hassan said in an exclusive interview with <strong>Al Mayadeen English</strong>.</p>
<p>"The war's cause was attributed to Ansar Allah's 'Death to America,
Death to Israel' slogan, and tensions escalated after a visit by
Abdul-Malik to Saada, prompting Saleh's declaration of war," he further
added.</p>
<p>He went on to say that Ansar Allah, initially armed with simple
capabilities, progressed from manufacturing primitive bombs in juice
boxes to homemade landmines, later developing missiles like Zelzal and
al-Sarkha, as per Hassan.</p>
<p>During the war with Saleh, Ansar Allah acquired and developed weapons to serve Yemen and other free Arab nations, he said.</p>
<h3>Regular Yemeni fighters</h3>
<p>Regarding the weaponry possessed by the regular Yemeni Resistance
fighters, Ansar Allah Resistance fighter Hammam Hassan detailed to<strong> Al Mayadeen English</strong>
that the fighters are armed, first and foremost, with their strong
faith in God and a commitment to the cause they are fighting for.</p>
<p>"I have deduced a principle from the wars in Yemen, including the war
on Gaza, and that is that when two armies meet – one with powerful
weapons and another with weaker weapons – the one who will win the
battle is the one with a strong cause, even if their equipment is
inferior," he said proudly. </p>
<p>Regular Yemeni fighters have access to widely available weapons, such
as the Kalashnikov rifle and machine guns, including anti-aircraft
guns.<strong> </strong>However, these weapons need to be well-maintained as they are old<strong>,</strong> he explained.</p>
<p>He further stressed that a regular fighter typically carries a simple
machine gun, RPG launcher, or Kalashnikov, but because they are guided
by principles and a strong belief, God grants them victory.</p>
<p>"You've witnessed the Yemeni fighter who, barefoot, climbed an Abrams
tank – a U.S. industry icon – fearlessly captured it, and then set it
ablaze with firewood back in 2016. You might wonder how such an event
could unfold. It's because the Yemeni fighter is driven by a cause, a
principle, strong beliefs, and unwavering conviction, while the enemy
lacks any equivalent," he recalled.</p>
<p>Regarding the Americans' ability to respond to Yemen's attacks, he
sarcastically remarked, "Let them respond. The fighters of Ansar Allah
have over twenty-three years of experience and embody principles,
strength, and determination. They excel in camouflaging and concealing
weapons in warehouses unknown to anyone; even the fighter storing the
weapons is unaware of the precise location or the name of that area. We
maintain a high level of secrecy and confidentiality in such matters."</p>
<h3>Ground and air military capabilities</h3>
<p>As for the ground and air military capabilities, many <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/yemeni-armed-forces-unveil-latest-strategic-weapons-in-milit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">advanced weapons</a> have been revealed by the Ansar Allah, particularly on the anniversary of the September 21 Revolution in 2021 and 2023.</p>
<p>Regarding naval weapons, locally manufactured weapons include
remotely operated explosive-laden boats (Unmanned Surface Vehicles) and
lethal naval mines. These weapons have been also publicly revealed.
However, Ansar Allah also owns undisclosed weapons and missiles that
could be deployed from vessels or the coast, Hassan divulged to <strong>Al Mayadeen English</strong>.</p>
<ul id="gmail-content-slick-2"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
<a href="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/archive/image/2024/2/8/64cd4d1e-4cff-467f-b38a-a5926b4b7019.jpeg?width=1000" tabindex="0"><img src="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/archive/image/2024/2/8/64cd4d1e-4cff-467f-b38a-a5926b4b7019.jpeg?width=1000&preset=w750" alt="" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img"></a>
</li></div></ul>
<p>"Each party in the war holds cards that should not be revealed until
the right moment. We could have closed the Bab al-Mandab Strait in
2017-2018 when we were besieged by countries worldwide, but with God's
grace and the wisdom of our leader, the decision to close the Red Sea
passage was not taken. If we had utilized the Red Sea option, we
wouldn't have had the current capability to launch even a single shot to
support Gaza," he noted.</p>
<p>In the same context, Almohallil contended that Western media is
trying to portray a balance in capabilities between Ansar Allah and the
United States. Despite the US possessing superior capabilities,
effectively countering Yemen's tactics requires a precise military
approach, an area where Washington has so far been unsuccessful, as per
Almohallil.</p>
<p>The confrontation over the past nine years of aggression has <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/yemen-declares-readiness-to-fight-aggression-on-wars-8th-ann" target="_blank" rel="noopener">yielded substantial benefits</a>, he noted.</p>
<p>"The United States' becoming deeply involved in the coalition led by
Saudi Arabia offered valuable field experience to Ansar Allah. This
experience involved dealing with an extensive, aggressive war where
coalition forces utilized a range of advanced American weapons. Ansar
Allah also gained insight into the strategy behind the aggression
devised by Washington, allowing them to adapt their operations
accordingly. This adaptation, in turn, led to a refinement in the course
of operations based on an understanding of the tactics employed by the
aggressors," he added.</p>
<h3>'The land fights with us'</h3>
<p>The Yemeni terrain poses a formidable challenge for any invader, as
it is widely known to be one of the most rugged and demanding landscapes
on the planet. The topography of Yemen is characterized by steep
mountains, deep valleys, and arid plateaus, creating a complex and
difficult environment to navigate. The terrain's rough nature not only
complicates military operations but also hinders infrastructure
development, making it a significant factor that shapes the strategic
considerations of any foreign force operating in the region.</p>
<p>The Yemeni mountains present extreme challenges, making it difficult
for US missiles or drones to reach their peaks, rendering such attempts
futile, as per Hassan.</p>
<p>During the Saudi-led aggression, Yemen was closely monitored by
satellites and spy drones, to the extent that if there were a stone in a
certain area, a drone would come, capture an image of the stone, and if
the stone moved, the drone would strike the location, he said.</p>
<p>"This illustrates the extent of aerial surveillance in Yemen.
However, we successfully concealed weapons, tanks, and aircraft. We
developed long-range missiles with a reach of up to 200, 300, 500, 700
kilometers, and even a thousand kilometers. We manufactured, stored, and
launched these missiles—all by the grace of God and the skills of
Yemeni resistance fighters, who possess high capabilities in concealing
and camouflaging. The Americans cannot reach [find] us<strong>," </strong>he further emphasized.</p>
<h2>The US VS Ansar Allah</h2>
<p>In response to Ansar Allah's operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf
of Aden in support of Gaza, the United States pursued a dual strategy.
Initially, the US attempted to entice the movement with <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/sources--yemen-barred-from-wfp-aid-over-palestine-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener">financial incentives</a>.
However, when this approach proved unsuccessful, the United States
opted for a more forceful response, resorting to bombing Yemen. </p>
<p>On this issue, a member of the Ansar Allah political bureau, Mohammad
Alfareh, described the American-British aggression on Yemen as "a
blatant and unjustified act that lacks legitimacy."</p>
<p>He further told <strong>Al Mayadeen English</strong> that the
aggression is taking place within the framework of the protection
provided by the United States and Britain to the Israeli enemy, allowing
it to continue its killings, atrocities, and brutal massacres in Gaza.</p>
<p>"In this regard, we urge all media outlets and activists on social
media not to align with the American narrative, which portrays this
aggression as self-defense and protection of global navigation, falsely
claiming that it is a response to the killing of their soldiers. The
reality is that America is an aggressor and an occupier that came from
across the oceans to dominate, plunder, and destroy. The war has been
ongoing since 2001 and did not start with the killing of their three
soldiers," he clarified.</p>
<p>Alfareh reaffirmed that Yemen's stance towards Gaza remains unwavering, regardless of challenges and threats.</p>
<p>"We consider it a humane and ethical position, seeking to achieve
peace in Palestine and security in our Arab region and the world," he
said.</p>
<p>We also assert that our people have every right to confront the
American and British aggression that violates our sovereignty and
independence. It is a foreign intrusion in our region. The Muslim
nations have the right to support Gaza, which is witnessing the greatest
massacre committed by the Zionists with American, British, and Western
support, he further added.</p>
<p>The official questioned, "Why does the US grant itself the right to
commit crimes and aggression, supporting the Israeli enemy, and then
deny our right to stand by our oppressed brothers, who are championing a
just cause connected to us by religion, blood, language, culture, and
nationality, more than what connects the American to the Zionist?"</p>
<p>On the US' attempt to lure Ansar Allah, Ansar Allah Resistance fighter Hammam Hassan divulged to <strong>Al Mayadeen English</strong>
that the movement had the option to remain silent about what is
happening in Gaza, as it was promised that employees would receive
salaries that had been confiscated in the years past by the coalition.
Salaries have been cut for ten years now, and Yemeni citizens struggle
to make ends meet.<strong> </strong>However, even the simplest Yemeni
citizens, including those opposing Ansar Allah, if asked whether they'd
prefer to receive ten-years' worth of salaries in exchange for the
movement's silence on the genocide in Gaza, or participate in a
demonstration condemning the genocide, they would say they do not want
salaries, he further stressed.</p>
<p>"Let me die of hunger; I would rather not stay silent about
injustice. This would be the answer. This is the Yemeni people—a proud,
stubborn people," he affirmed.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"By Allah, even if our bodies are scattered in the air, we would not abandon Palestine and Gaza." </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Hassan went on to say that Yemen has nothing to lose, as essential
infrastructure like schools and hospitals has been decimated due to the
Saudi-led aggression. He asserts that the only thing Yemenis have in
their possession amid all this destruction is their dignity.</p>
<p>In response to US strikes, Hassan reiterated that Ansar Allah is
ready to face the United States directly, expressing weariness from
engaging with the US' proxies since 2002, accusing Ali Abdullah Saleh
and Saudi Arabia of being American puppets. </p>
<p>Ansar Allah underscores its resistance as a matter of pride and
honor, confidently stating that the US will not be able to harm them, he
said.</p>
<p>As for the <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/yemen-s-ansar-allah-educates-us-pentagon-militarily--nyt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US' ability to achieve its objective</a>
to stop Ansar Allah's operations, Yemeni Diplomat Yasser Mohesn
Almohallil commented by saying, "Drawing from this experience and
considering the substantial popular support that has become a
significant factor in the struggle, the United States currently seems to
be struggling to develop new strategies to handle a resilient and
self-directed uprising force."</p>
<p>This force has proven its ability to stay steadfast, shift the
balance of the battle in its favor, and adapt military tactics to
achieve its goals, he further added.</p>
<p>"The US has found, among its diverse military options, only futile
attempts in imitating the tactics utilized by Ansar Allah. These
attempts appear to be aimed at creating a perception of parity to
restore its strategic equilibrium," Almohallil concluded by saying.<strong><br></strong></p>
<p>In short, the strength and <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/yemen-s-ansar-allah--us-terror-designation-is--ironically-am" target="_blank" rel="noopener">endurance of Ansar Allah</a>
as a unified movement from its entrenched ideological principles and
strategic goals adheres to an anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist agenda,
centering around the Palestinian cause. Presently, the Resistance
movement is united in its pursuit of two main objectives: compelling
"Israel" to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, and ending the
blockade on Gaza.</p>
<p>In the pursuit of these goals, Ansar Allah operates based on its own
political convictions and strategic interests, rather than adhering to
external directives. This autonomy is a key factor in why Yemen is
renowned as the graveyard of its invaders.</p>
<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-uk-aggression-against-yemen-is-an-open-war--ansar-allah" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US-UK aggression against Yemen is an open war: Ansar Allah</a></strong></p></div></div></div>
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