Why ‘Operation: Decisive Storm’ was needed in Yemen

For far too long, the Iranian-backed Houthi movement was left to meddle in Yemen. Now, while one realizes that war should always be used as a last resort and that every effort to use political and peaceful means should be exhausted; the reality is time after time, Iran and its agents continue to prove that they can’t be trusted and that they will always behave as the rogue players that they are.

Secretly aided by Yemen’s toppled leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh (who seems to have forgotten that he owes his life to Saudi Arabia and GCC countries which negotiated to guarantee his safe exit following the revolution which overthrew him back in 2011), the Houthis took over Yemen by force and terror.

The Iranian-backed militia turned down every opportunity for reconciliation and opted to snub the GCC initiative and the outputs of the National Dialogue as they took over Sanaa and then – despite a loud and clear Saudi warning - went after the country’s legitimate President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi in Aden (which was named Yemen’s temporary capital.)

Hadi, cornered and concerned over the future and independence of Yemen, called upon Gulf States, the Arab League and the international community to intervene to end the bloody progression of the Houthis.

A storm was already brewing

Saudi Arabia and its allies – who up until now include all GCC states (excluding Oman), Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco and Pakistan - answered the call with Operation: Decisive Storm which was inaugurated overnight under the supervision of the Saudi Defense Minister Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who alongside Deputy Crown Prince and interior minister Prince Mohammad bin Nayef were personally following up on military action at the command center.

Infographic: The 'Decisive Storm' coalition

By sunrise, several senior Houthi leaders were already targeted and eliminated as the Royal Saudi Air Force took complete control of the Yemeni airspace.

As the operation continues, Saudis (who generally were unsurprised by the military response since the Houthis had the audacity of undergoing a recent military drill by the Kingdom’s border) and most Yemenis continue to support the brave military mission by the Kingdom’s armed forces as confronting the Houthis is regarded as part of Riyadh’s larger anti-terrorism efforts.

Having been a victim of several atrocious terrorist attacks itself, Saudi Arabia has always been a key ally in the war against terror and has been relentlessly pursuing al-Qaeda and ISIS militants in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. However, while Yemen’s proximity as well as the despicable crimes committed by Houthis against innocent Sunni men, women and children were all factors which led to the Saudi decision to use force; one needs to remember that Saudi Arabia and its allies are waging this war in the name of humanity, civilization and on behalf of the whole world.

‘Death to America’

Let us not forget that the Houthis - whose official slogan is ‘Death to America’ and are known for their U.S. flag burning practice - are agents of the world’s biggest terrorist regime in Tehran.

Indeed, the Iranian regime supports both Shiite and Sunni terrorist groups (according to U.S. State and Treasury departments, key al-Qaeda financiers and planners reside and work from Iran) which are the main source of upheaval and instability across the region, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. It was not surprising that the Iranians condemned the military response in Yemen as a “military aggression.”

In addition, by degrading and undermining the Houthis’ military capabilities, the Saudi-led military efforts serve as a preemptive campaign against the possible use of ballistic missiles, such as SKUD, which could target GCC countries.

Most importantly, given its custodianship of the two holy mosques, Saudi Arabia must protect the sacred shrines in Makkah and al-Madina from reckless terrorist groups such as the Houthi movement.

Furthermore, given the historical, cultural, religious and even family ties that the Saudis and Yemenis enjoy; there is undoubtedly a sense of duty to help Yemen stand back on its feet, prosper and live in peace.

This was why a “Decisive Storm” was needed; and this is why the ongoing military operation enjoys wide support across the Muslim world as well as the U.S. and international community.

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Faisal J. Abbas is the Editor-in-Chief of Al Arabiya English, he is a renowned blogger and an award-winning journalist. Faisal covered the Middle East extensively working for Future Television of Lebanon and both Al-Hayat and Asharq Al-Awsat pan-Arab dailies. He blogs for The Huffington Post since 2008, and is a recipient of many media awards and a member of the British Society of Authors, National Union of Journalists, the John Adams Society as well as an associate member of the Cambridge Union Society. He can be reached on @FaisalJAbbas on Twitter.