Why the Houthis Attack Ships and How Arab Media Views Trump’s Win | Media Arabic Booster 11/24

Essential Arabic vocabulary: elections

Here we want to look at the most important terms and verbs related to elections.

BACKGROUND: Who are the parties to the conflict in Yemen?

In Yemen, the conflict involves several groups and countries:

• Houthi Movement – Ansar Allah (الحوثيون – أنصار الله): The Houthis, a Shiite rebel group with ties to Iran, control significant parts of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa (صنعاء). They have been fighting against the internationally recognized Yemeni government and its allies.
• Internationally Recognized Yemeni Government (الحكومة اليمنية المعترف بها دوليًا): This government, led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi (عبد ربه منصور هادي) until his resignation, is now overseen by the Presidential Leadership Council – PLC – (مجلس القيادة الرئاسي), established in April 2022. The coalition supporting this government is led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (الإمارات العربية المتحدة), and has been conducting airstrikes and other military operations against the Houthis since 2015.

• Southern Transitional Council – STC – (المجلس الانتقالي الجنوبي): The STC is a separatist group that controls parts of southern Yemen, including the temporary capital, Aden (عدن). They seek an independent southern Yemeni state and have had conflicts with both the Yemeni government and the Houthis.
• Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula – AQAP – (تنظيم القاعدة في جزيرة العرب): AQAP is an extremist group that has taken advantage of the chaos to establish a presence in Yemen, particularly in the south and east. They have been involved in various attacks and continue to pose a significant threat.
• International Involvement (التدخل الدولي): The United States, United Kingdom, and other allies have been involved, particularly in targeting Houthi capabilities in response to attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. This involvement includes military operations and strategic support to the coalition forces.

BACKGROUND: The Bab al-Mandab

Bab al-Mandab (بابُ الْمَنْدُبِ) is the strait that connects the Red Sea (البحر الأحمر) to the Gulf of Aden (خليج عدن).

It is divided by the volcanic island of Mayyun (جزيرة ميون), also known as Perim (بريم), into two parts: the Large Strait, about 14 km wide, and the Small Strait, around 2.5 km wide. From June to September, during the south-west monsoon, water flows out of the Red Sea, while from November to April, during the north-east monsoon, it flows in. This creates strong currents that can be risky for sailing. To the east of the Small Strait is al-Manhali Hill (جبل المنهالي), which is 232 meters tall.

About the name Bab al-Mandab: According to Arab legend, Asia and Africa were once connected until Dhū al-Qarnain (ذُو الْقَرْنَيْنِ) split them apart, creating the Red Sea.

The name al-Mandab (المندب), meaning place of lamentation for the dead. It is the noun of place (اِسْمُ الْمَكانِ) of the I-verb نَدَبَ – يَنْدُبُ which means to lament; to mourn for. The name Mandab reflects the dangers of the narrow waterway, which has strong currents, unpredictable winds, reefs, and shallow areas. Many ships have wrecked in the Bab al-Mandab over the years.

The name is believed to originate from an Abyssinian crossing to Yemen (اليمن). In the early 6th century, two Sabaean inscriptions refer to “silsilat al-Mandab” in relation to the conflict between Yusuf As’ar Dhu Nuwas (يوسف أسأر ذو نواس) and the Abyssinians.

The name Bab al-Mandam (باب المندم) is also used, likely because seafaring Arabs often replace ‘b’ with ‘m’ in names. They sometimes simply refer to the strait as al-Bab (الباب).

About Dhū al-Qarnain (ذُو ٱلْقَرْنَيْن): He is a figure in the Qur’an, found in Sura 18 The Cave – al-Kahf (الكهف) -, verses 18:83-101. His name means “The Owner of Two Horns.” The Qur’an describes him as a powerful ruler who traveled far and wide, reaching the ends of the Earth. He is known for building a barrier against the tribes of Gog and Magog (يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ). Scholars have different ideas about his true identity, with some linking him to Alexander the Great, others to Cyrus the Great, or even a pre-Islamic Arabian king. The exact identity of Dhū al-Qarnain continues to be debated.

BACKGROUND: What is the situation in Yemen at the end of 2024?

As Donald Trump returns to the presidency in January 2025, Yemen anticipates significant shifts in US policy regarding its ongoing crisis and conflict.

• Analysts suggest that Trump may prioritize Israel’s interests over Iran’s, potentially leading to new rules for a ceasefire with armed factions in Yemen. This anticipated shift could drastically alter the US approach to the Middle East, especially in response to the Houthis and their military actions.
• Under Trump’s administration, economic sanctions against the Houthi group are expected to intensify, building on measures from his previous term. Experts believe that the Houthis may be reclassified as a terrorist organization, further diminishing avenues for negotiation and sidelining the role of the American envoy in Yemen. This harsher stance indicates a commitment to countering the Houthi threat in the region.

• The military conflict has escalated, particularly following maritime attacks by the Houthis aimed at supporting Gaza. In retaliation, the US and British forces have conducted airstrikes against Houthi positions. Analysts recommend that the US will likely increase military actions, utilizing enhanced intelligence to target key Houthi strongholds and operational capabilities.
• The US also plans to deploy troops in southern Yemen, primarily to train government forces and monitor coastal areas. This decision aligns with a proposed coalition from the UAE to secure maritime routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, highlighting concerns over Houthi threats.

Ultimately, the risk of increased conflict is high, as the Houthis are likely to keep acting unless diplomatic efforts change the regional balance of power. Upcoming US policies under Trump are expected to take a stronger position on the Houthi issue, using military and economic strategies as key parts of Washington’s plan for Yemen.

If you are unfamiliar with the verb system used in the Hans Wehr dictionary (Roman numerals, I-X), click here for a short and simplified overview.

NOTICE: If there are any errors or mistakes in this article, please let me know or use the comment section below. I am not a native English speaker, and inaccuracies can quickly creep in with more complicated texts. We are all here to learn.

DISCLAIMER: Just so you know, my focus is purely on the language, and my selection of texts does not express any political views. The Arab world is currently full of sad conflicts. If a text excerpt hits someone personally or makes them angry, please remember that as a journalist, I listen to all sides without judgment, and I do not want to spread any political views or engage in discussions on Arabic for Nerds. All I care about here is the wonderful language of Arabic, and that we can all use it to understand each other better.