The tough Yemenis are reminiscent of the Afghans that drove the Soviet Union and the U.S. from their country. The Yemenis may do the same with the Saudis, and they’re making life difficult for the Israelis as well. From Finian Cunningham at strategic-culture.su:
Yemen may be slated as the poorest country in the Arab region, but it is emerging as posing the most potent threat to Israel.
Yemen may be slated as the poorest country in the Arab region, but it is emerging as posing the most potent threat to Israel. In the past week, the Yemenis have detained three Israeli cargo ships as they transit through the Red Sea.
There is poetic justice in this. Yemen doesn’t have much oil reserves. It has been devastated by more than eight years of war and famine, and yet it is showing a strength that puts so-called rich Arab and Muslim nations to shame over their venality and lack of integrity.
While Gulf Arab states like Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates corner vast oil wealth and Muslim leaders like Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan talk tough, it is war-torn, impoverished Yemen that is taking any meaningful stand against Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
Strategically located at the southern end of the Red Sea – a vital international shipping route – Yemen effectively has a veto on which vessels can pass through its territorial waters.
The Yemeni armed forces and the country’s Houthi rebel movement have declared solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocidal onslaught by Israel since October 7. They warn that all Israeli vessels will be blocked from passing into or out of the Red Sea.
The Yemenis are making good on their threat. The latest Israeli ship to be interdicted is reported to be an oil tanker.
Closing down the sea route will severely impact the Israeli economy. It means that all shipping from Israel to Asia will have to be circumnavigated by South Africa instead of using the much shorter route through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
The Yemenis have also been firing missiles at Israel in retaliation for the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. Hezbollah in Lebanon has likewise been targeting Israel with missiles. Both groups are linked to Iran but there is no evidence that Tehran is coordinating the attacks.
However, it is the economic weapon wielded by the Yemenis that may prove more damaging to Israel.
But, but, but muh chosen?
Auntie Semitism!
All clowny aside, what about a convoy of ships for Gaza relief?
Or would it get blasted by the indispensable ones.