January 21, 2021

Open Letter to President Joe Biden

By Abdullah Al Alami*

January 21, 2021

Mr. President, congratulations on assuming the presidency of the United States of America.

Washington’s decision to classify the Houthi militia as a "terrorist group" is wise although it was delayed by seven long years.

Instability in Yemen cannot be addressed without holding accountable those responsible for obstructing peace efforts. The free world should also hold the Houthis accountable for their terrorist acts, including threats to civilian population, infrastructure, and commercial shipping. The list also includes forcing children to fight, and using education facilities for terrorist purposes.

The Houthis' persecution of religious minorities and bombing worship facilities should not be allowed. The Houthis’ criminal motive has caused the arrest of journalists and critics, and members of the Yemeni government were executed in cold blood. The Houthis besieged cities and villages, blew up homes, and plundered international aid. More than 70% of the population depends on what remains of international aid.

The Houthis’ goal is to destroy the economy in Yemen. This outlaw group also launched missiles and drones, targeting civilians inside Saudi Arabia, and attacked energy facilities and international navigation routes in the Gulf region.

The Houthis aim is to undermine the political process, they have obstructed national dialogue, and violated 70 peace agreements with the United Nations and the Yemeni government.

Mr. President, designating the Houthi militia as a terrorist group is wise, this would drain their resources and sever their links with other terrorist groups, and restrict them from recruiting.

The free world should force the Houthi militia to enter into serious peace negotiations and pressure them to implement political solutions.

*Saudi writer

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