Saudi Arabia and holding Hezbollah accountable

Two days ago, Al Arabiya and Al-Ekhbariya TV aired a video showing a Lebanese Hezbollah leader - referred to by the nickname Abu Saleh al-Libnani - sitting in a tent explaining to Houthi militants the tactics of terrorism and destruction.

He was coaching them how to bomb Saudi cities and carry out suicide attacks in Riyadh, which he considered to be “martyrdom operations.” This video is only the tip of the iceberg.

When discussing the identity of the Hezbollah trainer with Yemeni journalist Fahd Taleb al-Sharfi, who comes from Saada city, he recalled a meeting with the former governor of Saada, famous arms dealer Fares Manaa, where the Lebanese terrorist was introduced as an arms dealer from Lebanon.

The Souq al-Taleh is the most renowned gathering of arms dealers in Yemen, and Manaa threw a luxurious banquet for his Lebanese guest.

Confirmation

While Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah denies the existence of his party in Yemen, Riyadh “has had evidence for a long time that Hezbollah mercenaries are training Houthi rebels,” said Saudi Brigadier Ahmed Asiri.

There are dead members of Hezbollah in Yemen, as confirmed by recently-resigned Lebanese Justice Minister Ashraf Riffi, and by the Yemeni government, which has raised the issue with the United Nations. This may have legal and international ramifications.

Whoever says the reason for the Saudi suspension of aid to Lebanon’s army is the pro-Iran stance of the latter’s Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil is simplifying the situation. Hezbollah has plunged into a real war and dominates the Lebanese government.

Party member and Lebanese Agriculture Minister Hussein al-Hajj Hassan said: “I don’t understand the equation at hand. Either we apologize for a mistake that didn’t happen, or a collective punishment will befall Lebanese allies before enemies. What does this great equation entail? Someone answer me.”

This description of the Saudi position is absurd.

This article first appeared on Asharq al-Awsat on Feb. 26, 2016.
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Saudi journalist Mshari Al Thaydi presents Al Arabiya News Channel’s “views on the news” daily show “Maraya.” He has previously held the position of a managing senior editor for Saudi Arabia & Gulf region at pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat. Al Thaydi has published several papers on political Islam and social history of Saudi Arabia. He appears as a guest on several radio and television programs to discuss the ideologies of extremist groups and terrorists.