Al-Houthi Accuses Saudi Arabia of Continuing the Conflict

Al-Houthi said the Houthis remain under what he described as ongoing aggression and an unjust siege.

He claimed the conflict had entered its 12th year and accused Saudi Arabia of continuing its pressure on Yemen with U.S. oversight and what he called Zionist support.

According to al-Houthi, the period of de-escalation did not result in meaningful progress toward peace from Saudi Arabia’s side. Instead, he claimed that Saudi authorities used the period to strengthen military preparations and increase pressure on the Houthis.

He presented the Houthi movement’s position as one of what he called “necessary defense.”

Al-Houthi Says Saudi Arabia Started the Escalation

The Houthi leader said his movement was not responsible for starting the conflict with Saudi Arabia.

He pointed to the bombing of Sanaa airport as a major escalation and claimed that Saudi Arabia had initiated military action at different stages of the conflict without legitimate justification.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Houthis seized control of Sanaa and advanced through parts of the country. Saudi Arabia said the intervention was aimed at supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government and countering the Houthi movement.

The conflict subsequently developed into a prolonged war involving multiple Yemeni and international actors.

Al-Houthi Describes Civilian Suffering

Al-Houthi accused the Saudi-led campaign of causing widespread civilian casualties and destruction.

He said Saudi forces had targeted infrastructure and civilian locations, including homes, markets, hospitals, schools and mosques.

He also accused the campaign of killing thousands of women, children and other civilians.

The Saudi-led coalition has previously denied intentionally targeting civilians and has argued that its military operations were directed at Houthi military targets.

The war has nevertheless produced a severe humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with civilians affected by fighting, displacement, economic disruption and restrictions on access to food, medicine and other essential supplies.

Dispute Over the Siege

Al-Houthi identified the restrictions on Yemen as one of the main issues between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

He accused Saudi Arabia of continuing to restrict airports and the import of goods, arguing that these measures place additional pressure on the Yemeni population.

The Houthi leader described the restrictions as part of a broader siege against Yemen.

The issue of access to ports, airports and humanitarian supplies has been a recurring part of negotiations surrounding the Yemen conflict, with different parties offering competing explanations for the restrictions and their security purpose.

Al-Houthi Rejects Saudi Accusations

Al-Houthi also strongly rejected accusations that the Houthis had targeted Mecca.

He described such accusations as false and accused Saudi Arabia and its allies of using propaganda to damage the image of the Houthi movement.

He further criticized countries that maintain close relations with Saudi Arabia, arguing that their relationships with Riyadh are motivated by financial and economic interests.

These claims represent al-Houthi’s political position and have been disputed by Saudi Arabia and its allies.

Al-Houthi Criticizes Saudi Arabia Over Palestine

The Houthi leader also shifted his focus to the Palestinian issue, questioning Saudi Arabia’s actions in support of Palestinians.

He accused Riyadh of providing financial and energy-related support that he claimed ultimately benefited Israel.

Al-Houthi argued that Israel and what he called the “Zionist enemy” represent the principal threat to Muslim holy sites.

His comments reflect the Houthis’ broader political position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and their opposition to Israel.

Saudi Arabia has publicly supported Palestinian statehood and called for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while its relationship with Israel has been a major regional diplomatic issue.

Key Points

  • Abdul-Malik al-Houthi accused Saudi Arabia of continuing aggression and a siege against Yemen.
  • He said the Houthis consider their actions necessary self-defense.
  • Al-Houthi blamed Saudi Arabia for initiating the military escalation in 2015.
  • He accused Saudi-led forces of causing civilian deaths and damaging civilian infrastructure.
  • He criticized restrictions affecting Yemen’s airports and imports.
  • Al-Houthi rejected Saudi accusations that the Houthis targeted Mecca.
  • He accused Saudi Arabia and its allies of using propaganda against the Houthi movement.
  • He criticized Riyadh’s policies toward the Palestinian cause.
  • He described Israel as a major threat to Muslim holy sites.
  • His remarks reflect the Houthi movement’s position in the long-running Yemen conflict.

Source

This article is based on remarks by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.