Houthis get a taste of their own medicine

Serves them right. The Houthis are at the receiving end of a war they began with Iranian support. On Monday, they again fired two missiles at Najran, which were intercepted by Saudi air defence systems. No one was hurt. In retaliation, Saudi fighter jets quickly targeted militant positions in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, even hitting the Presidential Palace, according to reports. It is clear that the Houthis cannot run, or hide from the Arab coalition’s enhanced firepower. The strategic patience that the Arab coalition exercised for almost three years is wearing thin, and the counterstrikes undertaken by Saudi jets were successful and met their objective. Six terrorists were killed, and the Houthis would think twice before considering firing those missiles supplied by Iran again in the direction of Saudi Arabia again. What the Houthis may have also realised after the latest air raid is the Arab resolve to hunt down their leaders wherever they may be. The resolve to take them on is alive, and fresh. There will be no backing down or retreat from the task at hand however long it takes to wipe out Iranian influence from Yemen.

The air raids also serve as a warning to the Houthi leadership that the coalition can hit their bases hard and target their leaders. Precision air power has improved and collateral damage has been minimised through a revised strategy that is paying dividends for the coalition. Only the bad guys will get hurt or be exterminated in such attacks, which should make the Houthis scared, really scared. The best option for them in this scenario is to settle for talks. A negotiated settlement is in their interest and for regional stability. But first, they must eschew violence and decide to come to the political mainstream and shun Iran. Yes, giving up arms and the fuel of Iranian revolutionary ideology that has caused bloodshed are conditions they must adhere to. The extent of Arab firepower was clear through these raids on the Houthi capital. Tehran cannot afford to continue footing the bills for this conflict as its resources are strained after waging war in Syria. Iran’s war economy is on its last legs and the misadventure in Yemen could be the final nail in the regime’s coffin.