Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a massive offensive against Saudi Arabia and Yemeni forces, capturing Yemen's capital Sana'a and other important cities, causing thousands of deaths and **, as well as the displacement of millions. The Houthis have also repeatedly used missiles and drones to strike targets in Saudi Arabia, threatening Saudi security and stability. Saudi Arabia and Yemen** armies, with the support of the United States, Britain, France and other Western countries, counterattacked the Houthis, but failed to achieve a decisive victory. Recently, in response to the U.S. announcement of the formation of a so-called Red Sea escort alliance to deal with Houthi attacks on incoming and outgoing ships, Houthi leader Abdul Malik Houthi made a tough speech, threatening that if the United States sent troops to Yemen, it would suffer a more painful defeat than the Vietnam War.
In his speech, Abdul Malik Houthi expressed strong dissatisfaction and ** against the actions of the United States, saying that the United States is the main enemy of the Houthis, the oppressor and aggressor of the Yemeni people, and the ** and accomplice of Saudi Arabia. He said that the United States not only provided support, intelligence, training and logistics to Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni army, but also directly participated in air and missile attacks on the Houthis, causing a large number of civilians and property damage. He also said that the so-called Red Sea escort alliance formed by the United States is a flagrant violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, a militarization and danger of the Red Sea, and a provocation and threat to the Houthis. He pointed out that the purpose of the United States is to control Yemen's strategic location and abundant resources, safeguard US hegemony and interests in the Middle East, and obstruct the just struggle and national liberation of the Houthi armed forces.
Abdul Malik Houthi also issued stern warnings and threats to the United States, saying that if the United States continues to attack and interfere with the Houthis, or send soldiers to Yemen, the Houthis will do whatever it takes to resolutely fight back and resist. He said the Houthis are capable of countering any U.S. military operation, using missiles, drones, mines, etc., to launch attacks on U.S. ** and other targets in the Red Sea and Gulf regions. He also said that the Houthis will mobilize the Yemeni people to wage a national war of resistance against the invaders and occupiers of the United States. He stressed that the Houthis will make US soldiers and politicians pay a heavier price than the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War, and let them taste defeat and humiliation on Yemeni soil.
The United States and Western countries expressed strong condemnation and opposition to the Houthis's remarks, calling on the Houthis to stop their attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemeni forces, respect UN resolutions and mediation, and resolve the Yemeni crisis through peaceful means. In response to threats from the Houthis, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the United States will not be intimidated by the Houthis' rhetoric, and that the United States will continue to support Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Army, maintain security and stability in the Red Sea, and combat terrorism and doctrine by the Houthis. He also said that the United States has no plans to send troops to Yemen, but reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect American interests and allies. He warned the Houthis not to underestimate the determination and ability of the United States not to provoke unnecessary conflicts and wars.
Some analysts believe that the Houthis' hardline attitude reflects the self-confidence and ambition of the organization, as well as the isolation and predicament of the organization. On the one hand, the Houthis' military superiority and political influence in Yemen make them dismissive of the pressure and sanctions imposed by the United States and Western countries, and even dare to openly challenge and threaten US military action. The Houthis have also received support and assistance from Iran and other countries, strengthening their position and role in the region. On the other hand, the radicalism and extremism of the Houthis have caused them to be universally condemned and isolated by the international community, and they have lost the opportunity and conditions for a peaceful settlement of the Yemeni crisis.