ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with reckless abandon. Early on Thursday, Tel Aviv bombed oil facilities, a port and power plants in several Yemeni cities. The Zionist state claims it took the action after the pro-Iran Houthis — who are the de facto government in Yemen — fired ballistic missiles towards Israel. Tel Aviv claims it hit military targets, though the Yemenis say civilian structures were also hit. Several people have been reportedly killed in the attacks. The Houthis have been regularly targeting Israel, while they also maintain a blockade of the Red Sea to stop Israeli ships, and those heading towards the country, ostensibly in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The US and the UK have also struck targets in Yemen. Aside from Yemen, Israel has attacked Lebanon and Iran, while it has also carried out a massive blitz in Syria, taking advantage of the post-Assad chaos to largely destroy Damascus’ defensive capabilities. Though Israel and its friends say Tel Aviv is acting in ‘self-defence’, it is quite clear that these attacks on sovereign states are a vulgar display of Israel’s expansionist militarism, while they are also designed to deal Iran and its regional allies mortal blows.

The Houthis say they will suspend attacks once the slaughter in Gaza ceases. But that does not seem like a possibility anytime soon, unless ‘miraculous’ developments emerge from ceasefire talks. If Israel’s foreign allies can provide it military and financial aid to carry on its butchery, then those who stand with Palestine also have a right to force Israel to back off through military measures, as this is the only language Tel Aviv’s warmongers seem to understand. Of course, a regional spiral of violence is not desirable, which is why the quicker Israel ends its campaign of extermination in Gaza, the better for all.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2024