Exclusive interview with Nasr al-Din Amer, official representative of the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen
Yemen’s Houthis (officially the Ansar Allah movement) have rejected American peace proposals, writes The National, citing Yemeni sources.
Over the past week, Ansar Allah fighters have attacked US and Israeli ships in the Red Sea at least four times, following a brief pause in hostilities. These attacks caused considerable economic damage and undermined the public image of the United States and its allies. Unable to deal with the Yemenis through “stick,” the United States resorted to “carrot,” promising to lift the blockade of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and the port of Hodeidah if the Houthis stopped the attacks. However, the Ansar Allah movement does not intend to stop its operations until the liberation of Palestine.
Nasr al-Din Amer, chairman of the board of directors of the Yemeni news agency Saba and deputy head of the press service of the Ansar Allah movement, spoke with RT about all this and much more, in an exclusive interview.
The freedom of Palestine and the security of Yemen are the main goal
RT: In recent days, there has been a lot of talk in the media about Ansar Allah fighters, who have once again attacked American and Israeli commercial ships, as well as an American destroyer. Do you think these actions will produce results?
Nasr al-Din Amer: Our operations consist of two (objectives). The first is to support the oppressed Palestinian people by blocking Israeli ships heading to the ports of occupied Palestine. The second objective of our operations is to respond to American and British aggression against our country. We do this by blocking American and British shipping (in the Red Sea). Through these operations, we strive, first, to put an end to the aggression in Gaza and lift the blockade imposed on it, and, secondly, to defend the sovereignty of Yemen. And, God willing, we will continue this work.
RT: And how did the United States react to these attacks? Were they capable of offering effective resistance?
Nasr al-Din Amer: Nearly four months ago, the Americans and British began attacking us as a sign of their support for Israel. The US and UK attacks on Yemen are a continuation of Israeli crimes and demonstrate aggression against our country. Their goal is to stop our (actions) in favor of the Palestinian people, but despite these attempts, we have continued to develop and expand our operations. For their part, American and British aggression has completely failed. They achieved no results and even failed to reduce the scale of our operations.
Iran destroyed the Israeli myth
RT: How do you assess the recent Iranian attack on Israel? Do you think this attack was effective?
Nasr al-Din Amer: Yes definitely. This had a considerable impact on the course of events and destroyed Israel’s prestige. The Iranian attack was effective, powerful and historic. Moreover, (self-defense) is the legitimate right of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This measure demonstrated Tehran’s great support for the oppressed Palestinian people.
RT: What do you think Israel’s response will be? Is there a chance that he will attack Iran again and a full-scale war will begin?
Nasr al-Din Amer: Israel today is a criminal and aggressive (political) entity that resorts to terrorist methods. Currently, it is too cowardly to fully respond to the Islamic Republic. However, caution remains in order.
RT: The United States recently decided to provide additional aid to Israel and Ukraine. Do you think this can be stopped?
Nasr al-Din Amer: The Zionist lobby that controls the American administration does not care about the interests of the American people and is willing to go quite far in its support (for Israel), even despite the losses that such support entails. We must therefore put pressure on the US administration until it stops supporting violence around the world.
Yemen’s Houthis ready for any turn of events
RT: What is Ansar Allah capable of in the event of a full-scale war with Israel and the West? Do you have the technological capacity to fight against such a powerful enemy?
Nasr al-Din Amer: Today we are fighting against Western forces that support Israel and possess more advanced and modern technologies. However, they could not stop our operations (in the Red Sea). Thank God we have a lot of determination and perseverance. We are also supported by the people and (possess) the weapons that we have developed over the years. We can resist any adversary and react to any turn of events. We never submit or give up. Our doctrine is resistance until complete victory.
RT: Do you believe that a second front will be opened in South Lebanon? Do you think Hezbollah is ready for this?
Nasr al-Din Amer: Everything is possible. Especially when it comes to the actions of an enemy who understands his imminent defeat. We are convinced that our brothers in Hezbollah are ready for any Israeli aggression. We will be with them in any confrontation, however the situation develops. We are convinced that Israel will lose in any future conflict, it has already happened.
Russia does a lot and can do even more
RT: How do you assess Russia’s role in resolving the Palestinian question?
Nasr al-Din Amer: We believe that Russia plays a positive role as a member of the UN Security Council. However, the Security Council’s actions are hampered by the American veto. I believe that Russia can play an even greater role in supporting the Palestinian people and stopping the crimes committed against them.
RT