Two Emirati diplomats reveal what is behind the "cross-border" Houthi terrorism
English - Wednesday 02 February 2022 الساعة 09:03 am
NewsYemen, special translation:
The Emirati diplomat, in Washington and New York, addressed the international community, warning that the Houthi terrorist militia's missiles are not only targeting the UAE, but that "their real goal is something else, because the Middle East is changing, after people are tired of conflict and division."
The Wall Street Journal published a joint article titled “Confront Houthi Terror with Severe Sanctions and Diplomatic Isolation,” written by Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s permanent representative to the United Nations, and Yousef Al-Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to the United States, in which they said that the Houthis are attacking “the vision of the Houthis.” A new future is taking shape in the UAE and the region, which is represented in religious coexistence and empowering women.”
"We defend the UAE and our way of life," the two Emirati diplomats emphasized in the article. We are committed to easing tensions and creating a hopeful future. Building direct relations with Israel opened new horizons.”
The article exposed the Houthis' crimes, as the UAE missions in New York and Washington called on the international community to confront "cross-border" Houthi terrorism.
The two diplomats said that the repercussions of terrorists launching missiles towards Abu Dhabi could have been greater, as more than 32,000 international travelers pass through the airport daily, and more than 8 million foreign residents from almost all countries live in the UAE, including more than 65,000 Americans.
They considered that the broad international condemnation reflects the global consensus that the Houthis' disregard for civilian casualties and targeting of civilian infrastructure is a threat to collective peace and security, and they said that the UAE, like the United States and any sovereign country, will take all necessary measures consistent with international law to defend itself from any other attacks .
The diplomats said that broad diplomatic pressure should be applied to counter the Houthi aggression, through the imposition of stricter US and international sanctions, and by making extensive efforts to prevent the spread of weapons.
The article considered that the immediate priority should be Washington's re-listing of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization under US law, explaining that this would help impede their supply of money and weapons, without restricting humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people.
The two diplomats noted the Houthis' refusal to participate in the peace process or to meet with UN or US envoys, and to double their missile attacks on cities and towns in Saudi Arabia. They also held the Houthi militia responsible for the current humanitarian crisis in Yemen, noting their violation of agreements to reduce hostilities. In this context, Al Otaiba and Nusseibeh stressed that the UAE was and will remain one of the largest providers of humanitarian aid to Yemen.
The article considered it necessary to raise the military capabilities of anti-missiles and drones, considering that the Patriot and THAAD defense systems prevented greater loss of life during the strikes that took place in January. The article stated that the UAE will intensify its cooperation with the United States, to expand and improve this protective umbrella.
He considered that more diplomatic pressure, sanctions and maritime enforcement can isolate the Houthis and stop the flow of funds and weapons, pointing out that the UAE stopped its combat participation and withdrew all its ground forces from Yemen in 2019. He added that working with the special envoys of the United Nations and the United States, peace will be possible in Yemen, through political and not military means.
The authors pointed out that all of this must begin with a ceasefire, which the Houthis reject, and even evade talks, launch long-range missiles, and use terrorist tactics against Yemenis to fuel and prolong the war machine.
They considered that it was the Houthis who classified themselves primarily as terrorists, and that the United Nations, the United States, and every responsible nation and international organization should do the same.
