Trump to Grant Israel West Bank and Gaza, Says Houthi
Houthi claim that their missile launches compelled the USS Abraham Lincoln to leave the Arabian Sea.
In his 60th weekly speech since October 7, 2023, Abdulmalik al-Houthi delivered an extensive discourse centered on martyrdom, asserting that since everyone must eventually die, one should embrace martyrdom as a means to secure eternal paradise. His speech coincided with a month-long series of events dedicated to honoring Houthi martyrs, particularly his late brother, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, one of the founding fathers of the "Young Believers" movement, which evolved into the Ansar Allah (Houthis) group known today.
This societal-wide commemoration involves a broad range of activities across schools, ministries, universities, and cultural and religious institutions. Exhibitions showcasing martyrs are held, with each Houthi military region or government institution highlighting their fallen personnel. Families of martyrs are also recognized through various assistance programs, including financial aid, employment opportunities, and promotions.
Houthi’s speech was interspersed with his routine critique of Western civilization, accusing it of promoting Zionism and moral corruption under the guise of peace, prosperity, equality, and rights for humans, women, and animals. He claimed that Western efforts aim to recruit and indoctrinate Muslim and Arab women to erode Islamic values. He pointed to the violence in Gaza, including attacks on women, children, and animals, as evidence of the alleged hypocrisy of Western values, which he claims are used to distract societies from Islamic teachings.
The Houthi leader cited historical examples of American and European actions to bolster his arguments, listing atrocities such as the U.S. use of nuclear weapons in Japan, the Vietnam War, and interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as current actions in Gaza. He warned that Israel's existence is part of a broader Western strategy to occupy the Levant—including Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and northern Saudi Arabia. He accused Israel of forming gangs to steal aid intended for Gaza and blamed Western powers, including Germany, France, the UK, and the U.S., for starving millions in Gaza and exacerbating famine conditions.
Houthi also discussed Israel's impact on Egypt, possibly responding to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati’s recent remarks about the economic losses caused by reduced Suez Canal traffic, estimated at $6 billion. He quoted Mike Huckabee, nominated by President-elect Trump to be the next Ambassador to Israel, who stated that he does not believe in the existence of Palestine and would advocate for Israel's expansion into the West Bank and Gaza. Houthi used this as further justification for the "resistance" in Palestine, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, which he framed as the only viable response to Israel's military expansion.
Praising the recent 18 operations carried out by Iraqi resistance forces, Houthi positioned himself as a key spokesman for the "Axis of Resistance," led by Iran. On the Yemeni front, he noted that tens of thousands of Yemenis have died in what he called the "Guidance Path of the Holy Quran" since the conflict began in 2004— Abdulmalik al-Houthi’s official title is the leader of the "Quranic March Revolution”— and celebrated Yemen's attacks on U.S. Navy destroyers and carriers, claiming that the USS Eisenhower and USS Abraham Lincoln were forced to leave the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. However, unlike his usual speeches, he refrained from detailing recent maritime attacks or operations deep into Israeli territory, suggesting these activities may have declined. He instead acknowledged public commentary from his adversaries about Houthi military capabilities.
Houthi concluded by calling for continued weekly rallies and marches every Friday. He described these demonstrations as essential for mentally, spiritually, and emotionally preparing the Yemeni population for what he called the "Great War to Liberate Jerusalem."