Houthi: Saudi Goal Is Occupation of Yemen

Insists His Faction Won't Surrender to Saudi Invasion Forces

In new comments published by Reuters today, Yemen’s Houthi militia leader, Abdelmalik al-Houthi, insisted his faction will never surrender to Saudi invasion forces.

Houthi, whose movement was founded by his since killed elder brother, says Saudi Arabia’s goal is “the invasion of this country, it’s occupation and placing this country again under its feet and hegemony.”

The Houthis have been the de facto rulers of Yemen since the January resignation of President Hadi. The Saudis began attacking Yemen earlier this month, saying their intention is to reinstall Hadi as the nation’s ruler.

A Shi’ite force that traditionally dominates Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia, the Houthis have long been a target for the Saudis, and doubly so now that they’ve expanded their control over much of the country’s west coast.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.