Yemen has surprises up its sleeve, Gaza support ceaseless: Exclusive
8 Min Read
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi discusses the Israeli genocide in Gaza, Yemen's capabilities, the issue with Saudi Arabia, and the fate of the Axis of Resistance, in an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen.
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Yemenis wave Palestinian and Yemeni flags during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
Yemen's unwavering support for Gaza is both a religious and moral obligation, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, affirmed during an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen.
Yemen's role in the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood
As Yemen remains a steadfast front of operations against the Israeli occupation and its genocide in the Gaza Strip, al-Houthi noted that the intensification of support operations for Gaza came in response to the demands of the Yemeni masses and the Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza.
These operations will persist until the assault on Gaza ends, he added, and are made possible due to Yemen's advanced military capabilities, enhanced to counter the Israeli aggression.
Although international aggression on Yemen has intensified to obstruct its support for Palestine, al-Houthi stressed that "The American and British attacks will not affect our support operations for the people of Gaza, and the momentum and development will continue."
In this context, al-Houthi dismissed requests calling for the halt of Yemeni operations, saying "To those advising us to stop our support operations, we say: Go and advise America and Britain to stop supporting the entity, and the battle will end." He also revealed that the reduction in naval operations against ships associated with "Israel" stems solely from the avoidance of vessels from sailing through Yemen's designated operational area in the Red and Arabian Seas.
Al-Houthi firmly rejected any requests to halt Yemeni operations in the Red Sea unless Israeli aggression and the siege on Gaza ended.
On Yemen's autonomy and how it thwarts espionage plots
Emphasizing Yemen's independent stance, al-Houthi remarked that some entities fail to accept Yemen's autonomy particularly due to their dependence on US-led decision-making. On the other hand, in Yemen, the people can foil hostile plots through popular solidarity and reporting spies and collaborators.
Al-Houthi revealed that the country's security agencies arrested numerous espionage cells, some of which had direct links to the Israeli occupation. While the details have not been publicly disclosed, thorough investigations are still underway, the Yemeni official stated, adding that the international spy networks are part of broader schemes targeting Yemen's sovereignty.
Defying enemies and their threats
Addressing threats made by US President-elect Donald Trump, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi affirmed that they are not feared in Yemen, adding that Trump "excels in rhetoric, and we have tested him. We know he cannot do anything."
Yemen, according to al-Houthi, emerges stronger after every battle and continues gaining capabilities, developments, and experience. For example, Yemen’s expertise in hypersonic missile development has bolstered its operations in support of Gaza.
"Yemen would not have de-escalated if it were not committed to direct support for Gaza against Israel, the US, and Britain,” he said, further teasing significant military surprises, noting that those on the ground surpass those at sea.
Moreover, despite enduring a prolonged siege imposed by the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Britain, al-Houthi asserted that such measures would only strengthen Yemen’s resolve, adding that they had to resort to besieging the Yemeni people because they could not achieve their objectives through airstrikes.
Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
During his interview with Al Mayadeen, the Yemeni official also discussed issues related to Saudi Arabia, criticizing the Kingdom for its continued miscalculations, flawed assessments, and claims about occupying Yemen over a period of two weeks.
Al-Houthi emphasized the resilience of the Yemeni people, noting their triumph despite limited resources and expertise at the start of the conflict with KSA, which reportedly did "everything it can at the peak of its power."
In this context, He called on Saudi Arabia to adjust its plans, correct its assessments, and change its negative perception of the Yemeni people. Yemen reportedly also urged the KSA to restrain its allies, according to al-Houthi, who additionally cited interconnected Saudi-American interests in the region.
Yemen defies KSA, USA
Al-Houthi warned that the coalition could target these interests if harm were to be inflicted on the Ansar Allah movement.
According to al-Houthi, Saudi Arabia contacted Yemen, affirming that it does not want escalation. However, the KSA receives Yemen as being in disarray, although he stressed that their assessment was incorrect.
He firmly denied any ongoing negotiations with Saudi Arabia, stating that Yemen remains focused on countering the Israeli threat. “There are no negotiations with Saudi Arabia. We are preoccupied with confronting Israeli aggression, which threatens us, Saudi Arabia, and the rest of the Arab world,” he declared.
Moreover, al-Houthi revealed that Saudi Arabia had informed Yemen of US pressure to halt dialogues and that there would be no peace roadmap without halting operations in the Red Sea.
Regarding Gaza and broader conflicts, al-Houthi said Yemen's support remains unwavering while limiting direct confrontation with the Israeli occupation to avoid other potential conflicts.
Meanwhile, issuing a stern warning, al-Houthi highlighted the readiness and anger of the Yemeni people in response to the ongoing siege and deprivation, emphasizing “If they [Saudi Arabia] choose to engage in a new battle, their losses will be greater than before.” He further stressed that any war against Yemen constitutes a battle in support of "Israel" and the US that aims to prevent Sanaa from aiding Gaza.
Discussing the return of Donald Trump to power, al-Houthi revealed that Saudi Arabia had indicated they might join a new alliance with the incoming US administration. "This is another miscalculation. When Trump was in power, he did not bring them victory, and he will not do so now," Al-Houthi asserted.
The regional situation
Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi also warned of Israeli plans to redraw regional borders through territorial annexation, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, adding that their expansionist plots would also spread to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Israeli occupation, according to the Yemeni official, hopes to secure Trump's support in this matter as he ascends to power.
Therefore, he urged Arab nations, particularly Jordan—which recently condemned the publication of the annexation map—to take decisive action. He further said condemnation is not enough, calling for the reduction of oil exports, severing diplomatic relations with the occupation and its supporters, and the preparation of Arab armies for confrontation.
The Yemeni official emphasized Yemen’s readiness to support any Arab state under Israeli attack.
“If Jordan faces Israeli aggression, we will overlook their past positions against our people and support them because our true enemy is Israel,” he said, affirming Sanaa's willingness to aid any Arab nation, "even Saudi Arabia."
The Axis of Resistance
"The martyr of the Ummah, Hassan Nasrallah, was a complete school in himself. He left behind recommendations and directives in his speeches that are enough to ensure the continuation of Hezbollah," al-Houthi said, eulogizing Hezbollah's martyred Secretary-General.
Regarding the future of the Axis of Resistance, al-Houthi affirmed that it remains steadfast and principled, and does not halt its operations in one area or another, stressing that until the Israeli occupation is defeated and removed, the Axis will persist.
He further noted that communication with Hezbollah is ongoing through the operation room, reiterating Sayyed Nasrallah's infamous declaration "We are not defeated."
On ties with the Palestinian Resistance, al-Houthi said Yemen's relationship with the factions, calling it a "genuine brotherly bond", stressing utmost support and assistance for them throughout their battle.
On Syria
Commenting on recent developments in Syria, the Yemeni official clarified that Yemen had no prior relationship with the Syrian government. "What happened in Syria was a deception during negotiations, leading to the surrender of positions," he said.
Addressing misconceptions, he asserted, "Our battle is not linked to our brothers in Syria, and what happened there has no impact on the Yemeni people. To those who read it incorrectly, we say 'Yemen is different."
Read more: What does 'Israel' think it's doing against Yemen?
