A very dangerous area … this is how the Houthis are approaching the borders of Israel

The website “Russia Today” reported that the newspaper “Yediot Aharonot” said that “the Houthis are expanding to Africa and approaching Israel,” considering that “the danger is greater than we see now.”

The newspaper pointed out that “the United States is frustrated by the” limited influence “of the operation against the most independent Iranian wing, which is now expanding in one of the most important strategic areas for the Shiite axis and Israel,” according to its expression, noting that “the Houthis send their weapons to additional countries and in an unexpected and very dangerous region.”

The newspaper pointed out that “in recent years, the Houthis have spread, among other places, in the Horn of Africa, which includes Djibouti and Somalia, as well as the land of Somalia, Pontland, Eritrea and Ethiopia, and their control over these regions has become important, with the aim of consolidating their existence and approaching more than Israel. Moreover, the Horn of Africa and Sudan has a strategic importance: it is the region that is partially formed. The other side of the Gulf of Aden, opposite Yemen, and partly extending along the shores of the Red Sea.

“For example, in Somalia, the Shiite Houthis have expanded their cooperation with the Sunni Youth Organization, which is affiliated with al -Qaeda in East Africa, as well as with ISIS. According to reports published in recent months, including reports issued by the United Nations Security Council, Al -Shabab has held meetings in Somalia with representatives of the Houthis and requested help with weapons and training. In contrast, Al -Shabab pledged to expand the activities of the pirates that cause chaos in the sea in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia, attacking commercial ships and disrupting freedom of navigation.

In Djibouti, the newspaper said in its report that “the influence of the Houthis in Djibouti may make it easier to close the lane on the road to Israel.”

The newspaper pointed to the story of one of the citizens of Djibouti from Bani Afar, who worked to recruit young people in the interest of the Houthis in exchange for a material allowance, pointing out that “the temptation was an Iranian promise to Bani Afar, according to which Tehran would support the tribe economically and militarily until it is liberated from the rule of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea, just as Hezbollah supported in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Great and effective “in the Red Sea”.

In this regard, Danny Citrinovich, a researcher in the Iran program at the Institute of National Security Studies and former head of the Iran branch in the research department of the Israeli Intelligence Agency, said that the Houthis seem to be the Iranian agent who is supposed to work in Africa and also recruit African elements to create an active capacity in the continent.

He added: “On the strategic point of view, the focus focuses on the Horn of Africa, but the Houthis previously threatened to attack Israel in the Ras al -Raya region in southwestern Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. Reports have been reported to their desire to exist in North Africa as well. They have a natural link to African history, much more than the Iranians, and therefore they are the head of the spear in this step. We must be concerned. Differentiated in the intention of creating the ability to work in those countries. ”

Citrinovich stressed that “the threat of the Houthis is not the threat that we are currently seeing in the Middle East, in the Strait of Bab al -Mandab and the threats of the attack on Israel, but also a greater possible threat to Israeli and Western interests. The campaign against the Houthis should not only be limited to Yemen, but also should be seen by the Houthi problem from an African perspective.”

According to Citrinovich, “Any achievement achieved by the youth movement in the region will be dramatic for the Houthis, as it will open new areas for them. In this case, ideological differences between Sunnis and Shiites do not constitute any difference at all. In the end, it is related to deep strategic interests that serve the two sides. The story is similar in Sudan the path of strategic smuggling, where Iran dominates greatly, and greatly helps the military ruler Abdel -Fattah The proof, which was announced last week from the Presidential Palace that “Khartoum is free.”

Citrinovich said that since the Houthis are acting on behalf of Iran in Africa, they are likely to have a great presence in Sudan and the same applies to Eritrea.

On the other hand, General Michael Langley, commander of the US military leadership in Africa, said that the youth movement has “direct relations” with the Houthis, adding that President Donald Trump allowed him to expand operations against Al -Shabaab, which will now be “more powerful.”

The newspaper pointed out that “at the present time, the United States does not have any declared plan to bring down the Houthi regime in Yemen. CNN reported last night that the total cost of the new operation against the Houthis is already approaching one billion dollars, although the strikes had only a“ limited impact ”on the Houthi capabilities. The report also indicated that it seems that the Pentagon will have to request additional funding from Congress to continue to continue The strikes, but it may not get it – given the opposition to the operation from both sides in the House of Representatives.

The newspaper said, “As long as this is the case, the prosperity of the Houthis in Africa may continue and Israel should keep its eye open. Citinovic said:“ It is a large -scale and long -term campaign, and with appropriate work it will be possible at least to reduce the influence of the Houthis, pointing to another interesting point that in this case it may be right for Israel to cooperate with Turkey that has a great interest in Somalia. “There are not many issues in which there is a unit of interests between Israel and Turkey, but the stability of the situation in Somalia is a goal that serves the strategic logic of both countries and the United States as well.” In addition, he refers to Egypt as a partner, as it siege of navigational corridors led to a significant decrease in its revenues from the Suez Canal and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has been fighting the Houthis for years.

He concluded by saying, “I even eventually think there will be no choice but to overthrow this system.” “The American attacks perform a good deed, but strategically fail to build a balance of deterrence against the Houthis, who may be harmed, but their motives for move reached their climax.” (Russia today)