Rumors Of War: Houthi leader says future rounds of fighting with Israel likely

Houthi leader says future rounds of fighting with Israel likely

GOLDIE KATZ

The head of the Houthi terror organization, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, warned of potential future escalation with Israel during a speech broadcast on Houthi-owned news channel, Al-Masirah TV, on Friday evening.

Al-Houthi alleged that Israel, with American support, was preparing for further action against the terror organization, claiming that “upcoming rounds are certain.” 

The terror head cited US and Israeli efforts to disarm the Houthis and other terrorist organizations, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, as acts of “major aggression” and a “conspiracy” to deprive terrorists of their “legitimate rights.”

Al-Houthi additionally described the US and Israel as “satanic, oppressive, criminal forces,” urging his followers to remain in “a state of constant vigilance, with a high jihadist spirit” in response to the perceived military step-up.

The Houthis have also been preparing for escalation against the Southern Transitional Council (STC) on the ground in Yemen.

The STC is a United Arab Emirates-backed force that controls southern Yemen and has recently gained territory from the Houthis.

According to UAE-based news outlet Al-Ain News, Yemeni security and military sources have gathered information that the Houthis have begun deploying “unprecedented military reinforcements.”

Al-Ain reported that the preparations indicate that “a major military offensive towards southern Yemen” may soon be launched in response to the STC cutting off some of the terrorist organizations' supply lines.

A delegation of UAE and Saudi Arabian officials met in Yemen on Thursday to discuss soothing the rising tensions between the STC, the Houthis, and Yemen’s Saudi-backed official government.

The US Department of State released a statement on Friday expressing concern regarding the escalating military tensions, urging all involved parties to practice “restraint and continued diplomacy.”

“We are grateful for the diplomatic leadership of our partners, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,” the statement read, affirming that the US will “remain supportive of all efforts to advance shared security interests” in pursuit of “reaching a lasting solution.”