Leading the way: Saudi Arabia and Egypt | Why are Arab countries resisting US pressure to confront the Houthis?

NYN | Reports and analyses

The Washington Post reported that Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are resisting U.S. pressure to join efforts against Sanaa forces to halt their operations supporting Gaza. The report suggests that these nations fear being seen as allies of Israel and worry about possible retaliatory actions by the Houthis if they engage directly.

In an article titled “Arab Countries Resist U.S. Pressure to Condemn the Houthis,” published on Sunday, the newspaper noted that President Biden’s special envoy to Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, has repeatedly urged Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab partners to take stronger action. Lenderking explained in a recent interview, “I told them all they need to do more.”

According to the report, Lenderking’s message is that Washington’s Arab allies need to counter the narrative that paints the Houthis as heroes in the Middle East. Houthi leaders have remained resilient against the U.S.-led coalition’s efforts to thwart their attacks and protect vital shipping routes. They have also gained popularity among other Muslims angered by the Gaza crisis, creating a compelling image of a group challenging the Jewish state.

Lenderking reportedly said that regional powers could help disrupt the idea that the Houthis’ actions are justified by the Gaza conflict, but admitted, “It is very difficult for us to break this link.”

From the Biden administration’s perspective, the report notes, the Houthis’ maritime attacks provide ample reason for America’s allies to support the U.S. – if not militarily, then at least vocally – in countering the Houthis. But Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab nations are largely resisting Washington’s appeals.

The Washington Post quoted Hussein Ibish, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, who stated, “They [the Arab states] don’t see that raising the rhetorical stakes against the Houthis would benefit them, and Egyptians, in particular, are highly wary of what the Houthis might do next.”

The report notes that experts have stated Saudi Arabia and the UAE fought a years-long war against the Houthis and have no interest in becoming embroiled in another conflict. The United States’ steadfast support for Israel over the past year has left some Arab nations feeling that the U.S. is an unreliable partner.

The report also quoted Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who recently returned from a visit to Saudi Arabia, saying, “When you turn on the TV, it’s war… all the channels are showing it – the bombings, the war, the suffering.”

The Washington Post highlighted that, although no major country formally recognizes the Houthi government in Sanaa, and despite the Biden administration’s decision to re-designate the group as a global terrorist organization, the Houthis’ “sophisticated” media outreach has garnered significant attention. The report notes that the Houthis’ spokesperson has over a million followers on X (formerly Twitter), and in the past year alone, the group has released hundreds of videos, songs, and religious anthems that have reached millions worldwide, according to analysts at the Middle East Research Institute.

The report cited a speech by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi on Thursday, in which he described the Middle Eastern conflict as an “American-Israeli-Western war on our nation – the global Islamic community – which the West is clearly losing.”

An anonymous senior Arab diplomat explained, “You have to understand the level of complexity this situation creates for [Arab] governments in managing their own populations and domestic societies.”

The diplomat added, “People in the region now believe more strongly than ever that a Palestinian state is essential for lasting peace in the Middle East,” noting, “If you asked people before Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel about the most pressing regional issue, responses would vary, but today, if you bring up any political issue, Palestinians will be the first topic.”

The report points out that among the more than 20 countries involved in the U.S.-led “Operation Sentinel,” only Bahrain has openly participated. Other Arab nations are believed to be quietly among the ten coalition members that have kept their support under wraps. Despite repeated strikes on Houthi weapons sites, U.S. officials admit that the campaign has done little to deter the Houthis, who have stated they will continue their attacks until Israel ends its war in Gaza.

Lenderking remarked, “They [the Houthis] see themselves as riding a wave of popularity,” which is why Washington believes a clear rejection by Arab countries could be impactful.

The report concludes with a quote from Thomas Juneau, a professor at the University of Ottawa, who observed, “The U.S. has been completely outplayed in the narrative battle.”

Source: Washington Post