A Grave Mistake: Former Houthi Official Says it was Error to Attack Israel
In a shocking admission, a former high-ranking official of the Houthi rebels in Yemen has come forward to confess that the group’s decision to attack Israel was a grave mistake. The official, who wishes to remain anonymous, spoke exclusively to a regional news outlet, revealing the inner workings of the Houthi leadership and the catastrophic consequences of their misguided actions.
The Houthi rebels, a Shia Islamist movement backed by Iran, launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel in March 2018, which was widely condemned by the international community. The attack, which was seen as a major escalation of the conflict in the region, was responded to by Israeli airstrikes on Syrian and Lebanese targets.
In the interview, the former official, who held a senior position in the Houthi military, revealed that the decision to attack Israel was made by a small group of radical ideologues within the movement, who were driven by a desire to "avenge the martyrdom" of their leader, Hussein al-Houthi, who was killed in a conflict with government forces in 2004.
"We were convinced that Israel was a weak and vulnerable target, and that a successful attack would send a powerful message to the world," the official said. "But we were wrong. We underestimated the strength and determination of the Israeli military, and we overestimated our own capabilities."
The official went on to describe the aftermath of the attack, which was met with swift and decisive retaliation from Israel. "The Israeli airstrikes on our positions in Yemen were devastating," the official said. "We suffered heavy losses, and many of our comrades were killed or wounded. It was a catastrophe, and it was clear that we had made a grave mistake."
The former official also expressed regret over the harm caused to innocent civilians, both in Yemen and in Israel. "We never intended to harm civilians, but our actions caused unnecessary suffering and loss of life on both sides," the official said. "We must learn from our mistakes and work towards a more peaceful and prosperous future for all people in the region."
The Houthi rebels have been embroiled in a brutal conflict with the Yemeni government and a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. The group’s decision to attack Israel has further complicated the situation, and has been widely criticized by regional and international leaders.
The admission by the former Houthi official is a rare and significant development, and may mark a turning point in the conflict. As the region grapples with the aftermath of the attack, it is clear that the Houthi rebels must re-evaluate their strategy and work towards a more peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict.