Asharq Alawsat runs two opinion pieces today that point to Iran as the force behind the recent (and perhaps on-going) clashes on the Saudi-Yemen border. Hussein Shobokshi provides a riff on the 1959 comedy film “The Mouse That Roared” as Iran’s motivation. Instigating the Houthis, however, was criminal, he says.

Huthists: Pawns in a Persian Game
Hussein Shobokshi

There is a amusing story about a state that failed to achieve its development plans. This state was unable to fulfill its promises to the people, in terms of offering them prosperity, unique education, fascinating cities, and other shiny slogans. As a result, the leadership of this state held an extremely urgent meeting to discuss the repercussions of the situation. The president asked for his ministers’ opinion and advice in addressing this crisis. The defense minister responded by saying: “Let us declare war against the West and attack them. The West will retaliate, and, of course, destroy us. Accordingly, they will feel very guilty and announce a reform plan to fix the situation. This plan will be similar to the Marshall Plan implemented in Germany after its defeat in World War II. As a result, giant projects will be launched and major banks will set up operations. The country will prosper and the people will feel satisfied and happy, thus making us heroes and saviors in the people’s eyes.” After a few moments of silence, the minister of agriculture gave a deep sigh and said: “But what if we win the war and defeat the West?”

I remembered this amusing story as I followed the repercussions of the criminal attack that the Huthists carried out on the Saudi border. These people killed a Saudi soldier in cold blood and injured others, in a new criminal operation that has been added to their black record.

The Huthists have transformed into a lowly puppet in the hands of the Iranian intelligence service and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. They have become a mere tool for exerting pressure.
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Hamad Al-Majid believes that Iran has shown its hand and as a result the Arab world must now unify in opposing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Whatever legitimate complaints the Houthis may have, he suggests, have now been subordinated by factors that threaten all of Yemen, not just the government.

Huthiran
Hamad Al-Majid

There is no smoke without Iranian fire, but now Saudi Arabia has dispelled the smoke that was surrounding the Jabal Dokhan [Smoke Mountain] region from the fire which was originally ignited by Iran. However the Iranian fire continues to emit thick clouds of smoke which plague Iraq’s valleys, as well as the hilltops of southern Lebanon, these toxic fumes originate at the Qom [nuclear] facility, that as of now does not actually possess nuclear capabilities, but which has raised sectarian tensions [in the region]. As for the Arab and Islamic region, Iran’s mullahs are lying in wait for the opportunity to stoke their fires and plow the region into turmoil, as was seen by the [Huthi] attack on Saada, as well as the smoke emitted from the fire of [the Huthi attack on] Jabal Dokhan.

There is controversy surrounding the Huthi insurgency in Yemen, but there is national unity and fierce anger towards the Huthi aggression against Saudi Arabia and the attack on Jabal Dokhan which is located along the southern Saudi Arabian border. This is because when a foreign hand invades a free and honourable country there is no choice but to cut it off. For although the Saudis hate resorting to military solutions, perhaps they dislike something that is in fact good for them. Everybody is convinced that Iran’s claws must now be removed from Yemen following this threat to regional peace and after the Huthis sought to rip apart Yemeni unity which had made long strides away from sectarian strife. In fact the Huthis sought to fan these [Iranian] flames to engulf a country that is important to all Muslims across the world.
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Arab News reports on different facets of the border conflict:

Strong action will deter intruders

Jazan evacuees need housing

Jazan evacuees need housing

Saudi Gazette/Okaz run several pieces reporting on infiltrators hiding among refugees fleeing or displaced from the border region. The stories note efforts to differentiate infiltrators from illegal, but not treacherous Yemenis involved in cross-border smuggling.

Infiltrators disguised as displaced

Camp in Asir, infiltrators hide among displaced

‘Precautionary’ camp for 3,000 displaced in Asir

It’s different now: Evacuees

Arms, swords and daggers in 2-month-old caches

Supply trenches

Saudi Gazette also reports that some 2,900-3,000 villagers have been relocated on an emergency basis. They were told to leave their homes on short notice and left behind their belongings and flocks.

Saudi refugees yearn to return home