Amidst fervent international and UN efforts to de-escalate the economic crisis and end the war in Yemen, the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, launched an attack on the Safer oil facility in Ma'rib province (northeastern Yemen) on Friday, August 23rd.

The Yemeni military, in a statement published on their official website "September Net," stated that the attack was carried out by "three suicide drone aircraft carrying high explosives," labeling it a cowardly terrorist act aimed at destroying this vital civilian facility. The Ministry of Defense and the General Staff also condemned the attack in a separate statement.

The attack has raised eyebrows among Yemenis and observers alike, prompting questions about its motives and context, particularly given ongoing efforts to broker an economic truce agreement. This report by "Barran Press" delves into the implications and potential government responses.

A History of Destructive Intentions

Dr. Fares Al-Bil, head of the Yemeni Center for Strategic Studies, believes the Houthis have had their sights set on Safer and Ma'rib for some time. He attributes the attack to a pattern of Houthi behavior that is "not at all surprising."

Al-Bil highlights the Houthis' consistent efforts to dismantle Yemen's national assets, stating, "We witnessed their discomfort with the restructuring of power in the Presidential Leadership Council and their immediate response to cripple economic resources at Al-Dhaba port and other locations. They also halted gas imports from Ma'rib to areas under their control, raised taxes, and printed their own currency."

He asserts that the Houthis' ultimate goal is to "sabotage anything that could lead to the success of the Yemeni state, as they understand that any success for the state would shorten their lifespan."

Regarding the impact on the Yemeni people and their livelihoods, Al-Bil states, "They don't care if all Yemenis die, they don't care if Yemen plunges into an economic crisis. They are indifferent to the collapse of Yemen, the starvation of its people, and the displacement of millions. Their sole concern is to transform Yemen into a barren wasteland for the Iranian project. This is exactly what the Houthi militia wants."

Government Options

Al-Bil believes the legitimate government should not be expected to engage in "overly ambitious or heroic stances that are detached from reality." He suggests that the government can leverage these Houthi crimes to confront the international community, which is advocating for a "illusory peace" in Yemen.

Regarding peace guarantees, he argues, "The government needs to challenge the international community. What real guarantees can there be for peace with a militia that targets the people's resources? The international community must provide guarantees, and the legitimate government can exploit this situation."

While not advocating for immediate retaliation, Al-Bil suggests the government use this incident to address or rectify the shortcomings of the current peace process.

Fire Under the Ashes

Al-Bil believes the international community is aware of the Houthis' motives and their role as a military tool of the Iranian regime. However, he criticizes the international community's approach, stating, "They are essentially covering the fire with ashes, nothing more. They want to appear successful in halting the war in Yemen, but in reality, they are simply trying to contain the fire, minimizing international risks and confining it within Yemen."

He emphasizes that international mediators must understand that engaging with the militia through the language of peace will not work, as "they cannot possess the language of peace, no matter what."a

Attempts to hide the sun

Dr. Al-Bil, a prominent Yemeni analyst, described the situation as futile, stating that "calling for peace with this militia in the face of these developments and complexities is like trying to cover the sun with a sieve." He further argued that the Houthi militia, with its strategic ties to Iran, has taken the conflict to the Red Sea, threatening global security and the world's economy.

Dr. Al-Bil criticized the UN's approach to the Houthi militia, stating that the international community is "completely unable" to deal with the group. He believes the UN's double standard, treating the Houthis as a purely Yemeni issue when advocating for peace while simultaneously acknowledging their close ties to Iran, is hindering any progress toward a lasting solution.

A History of Sabotage:

This latest attack on the Safer facility is just one in a long line of Houthi assaults on Yemen's oil infrastructure. Since 2014, the group has:

• 2014: Seized the Safer oil facility's pressure reduction station in Ras Issa, expelling employees, kidnapping three, and looting equipment.
• March 2016: Launched ballistic missiles at the Safer facility, which were intercepted by the Arab Coalition's Patriot system.
• April 1, 2019: Invaded the Safer facility's oil pumping station in Rima, siphoning oil from the main pipeline.
• April 4, 2020: Targeted the Safer oil pipeline pumping station in Sarwah, west of Marib.
• 2021 & 2022: Foiled numerous Houthi attempts to sabotage oil facilities in Marib.
• December 26, 2023: Unknown assailants detonated an oil pipeline connecting Safer to the Jannah field in Marib.
• January 6, 2024: Kidnapped three Safer company engineers.
• August 23, 2024: Targeted the Safer facility with three suicide drones.

A Dangerous Escalation:

The internationally recognized Yemeni government has condemned the latest attack by Houthi rebels on the vital Safer oil facility, calling it a "dangerous escalation" in the group's ongoing economic war against the country.

Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Muammar Al-Eryani, in a statement released by the official Yemeni news agency Saba, accused the Houthis of attempting to cripple the government's ability to fulfill its obligations to the Yemeni people.

"The Houthi group has begun waging an economic war against the government," Al-Eryani said, citing a series of attacks on oil tankers in Hadhramaut and Shabwa governorates in October 2022, which led to the suspension of oil exports. He also accused the Houthis of blocking the sale of local gas from Marib to areas under their control, replacing it with Iranian gas imported through Hodeidah port. Furthermore, the Houthis have doubled tax and customs fees at land ports, hindering the movement of goods and tankers between governorates, effectively forcing traders to rely on the port of Aden.

The Safer oil facility, one of Yemen's most important oil assets, has been under the control of government authorities. However, its production has been significantly reduced in recent years due to repeated Houthi attacks. Currently, the facility primarily provides gasoline and domestic gas for local consumption and operates the power station in Aden, the country's temporary capital.

In May 2024, a Houthi leader threatened to target oil facilities in Marib and halt oil extraction from Safer fields, mirroring similar actions taken in Shabwa and Hadramaut governorates. This threat came just one day after the group announced what it called the "fourth phase" of escalation against Israeli ships.

The Houthi militia's actions are seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine Yemen's economy and further destabilize the country, raising concerns about the potential for a wider conflict and humanitarian crisis.