Houthi Leader Threatens to Harm Western Interests in Yemen

In a recent TV address, Abd Al-Malik Al--Houthi, leader of the Yemeni “Ansar Allah” movement, threatened to harm the interests of foreign powers such as the U.S., France, and Britain in Yemen. “The same powers that are upset now and create confusion will be harmed should they choose to toy with our economy,” he said, adding: The Yemeni people will not stand idly by.” The address aired on Mayadeen TV on February 11, 2015.

Abd Al-Malik Al-Houthi: The [Isla Party] is trying to create confusion about the economic situation. They are trying to intimidate people, as if the constitutional declaration in and of itself might cause Yemen economic problems and crises. In addition, they are trying to conceal the real problem, which is the political vacuum that was bound to lead to disastrous economic problems.

As for the constitutional declaration that fills this vacuum – this declaration in and of itself should not lead to any economic problems whatsoever. Why should it? The filling of the political vacuum is not supposed to lead to economic problems. It does not constitute any problem.

Some foreign powers got upset for unjustified reasons. Let me tell you, these powers have always treated Yemen in a humiliating manner in their politics and media, as if we Yemenis live in a powerless country, and as if we rely entirely on foreign powers. Let me tell you, the constitutional declaration, in and of itself, poses no danger or concern to the economy.

However, the Islah Party, or some other powers at home and abroad, might strive to play this economic card, in order to harm our national economy. We in the revolution will not remain silent about such a thing. The Yemeni people will not remain silent, will not ignore, will not turn a blind eye, and will not tolerate anyone toying with its economy, whether by destroying public interests, or by targeting national resources or by taking control over them. Nothing of the sort will be ignored.

Let me tell you, the same powers that are upset now and create confusion will be harmed should they choose to toy with our economy. They will definitely be harmed. Their interests might be harmed. The Yemeni people will not just stand idly by while they are being harmed. They know what they can do. These [local] powers have great economic capabilities. They have important businessmen with their private trade. They are connected to many interests.

In addition, the foreign powers have interests in this country, whether through the international community – The U.S., France, and Britain have interests in this country, and elsewhere in the Arab world.

Our country is an important country. It is a great country, rich in plundered resources, from which the people does not benefit. Our country has an extremely important geographical location. The stability of this country is in the interest of everybody, at home and abroad. Any attempt to sow chaos or to harm this country will have ramifications upon the interests of these powers.

Don't think that the others can exert pressure on this people or target its economy without their own interests being harmed. Whoever harms the interests of this country might have its own interests in this country harmed as well.

On the other hand, those who deal with our country in a positive manner, and who respect the will of this people – our people will definitely respect their legitimate interests.