A large cargo ship loaded with colorful containers is depicted in the foreground, with a rocket launching vertically above it, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. A smaller boat navigates the water nearby, with additional ships visible in the background and seagulls flying overhead. The text 'Bab-Mandab' and 'Bab al- Mandab Huthi' is displayed on the left.

Media Arabic Booster 11/24

This month (11/24) in Media Arabic Booster: What do the Houthis get out of attacking ships in the Red Sea? And an interesting headline following the election of Donald Trump as the new US president.

byGerald Drißner

November 30, 2024

20 minute read

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As a journalist, I read Arabic newspapers daily, especially the opinion section. Every month, I want to share with you on Arabic for Nerds what I find interesting from a linguistic perspective and which vocabulary might be worth learning. I call it the Media Arabic Booster.

A close look at a headline

Headlines in Arabic media are generally easy to understand – but there are also some tricky words.

al-Quds al-Araby weekly: on one’s doorstep

On 10 November 2024, after the US-elections, the weekly edition of the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi (القدس العربي الأسبوعي) had the following headline.

Let’s focus on the headline:

حروب نتنياهو: على أعتاب ترامب

Netanyahu’s Wars: On Trump’s Doorstep

In Arabic newspapers, sentences are often repeated. This is also the case here, where the headline appears again in the body text. But here we should better translate it in a figurative rather than literal sense.

The Arabic expression على أعتاب (on the verge of) in a newspaper article.

على أعتاب وصول ترامب إلى البيت الأبيض

On the brink of Trump’s arrival at the White House…

Go to vocab Section

Essential vocab: elections

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

election	اِنْتِخابٌ – اِنْتِخاباتٌ
free elections	اِنْتِخاباتٌ حُرّةٌ
general elections	اِنْتِخاباتٌ عامَّةٌ
early elections	اِنْتِخاباتٌ مُبَكِّرةٌ
presidential election	اِنْتِخابُ الرَّئِيسِ
voting system	نِظامُ الْاِنْتِخابِ
nomination for the elections	تَرْشِيحٌ لِانْتِخاباتٍ
ballot box	صُنْدُوقُ اِنْتِخابٍ
re-election	إِعادةُ الْاِنْتِخابِ
his re-election as president	إِعادةُ اِنْتِخابِهِ رَئِيسًا
to have the right to vote (lit.: to enjoy the right)	تَمَتَّعَ – يَتَمَتَّعُ بِحَقِّ الْاِنْتِخابِ
to hold elections	أَجْرَى – يُجْرِي اِنْتِخاباتٍ
to lose the elections	خَسِرَ – يَخْسَرُ فِي الْاِنْتِخاباتِ
to win the elections	فازَ – يَفوزُ بِ/فِي الْاِنْتِخاباتِ
with a bare (slim) majority	بِأَكْثَرِيَّةٍ ضَئِيلَةٍ
to boycott the elections	قاطَعَ – يُقاطِعُ الْاِنْتِخاباتِ

Translation of an article

Let’s look at parts of a longer newspaper article in Arabic. We will translate each sentence carefully. The highlighted words are in the vocabulary list below.

arabi21.com: What do the Houthis get from attacking ships in the Red Sea?

On November 28, 2024, the following article was published by the news website Arabi 21 (عربي21). It is a report by their Yemeni correspondent Ashraf al-Fallahi (أشرف الفلاحي) from Aden.

Arabi 21 is based in London and is part of the New Arab Network (العربي الجديد).

Article in arabi21: What do the Houthis get from attacking ships in the Red Sea?

Read full article

Let’s now take a closer look at a few complete paragraphs.

ما مكاسب “الحوثي” من هجماتها على السفن في البحر الأحمر؟

What are the gains of the Houthis from their attacks on ships in the Red Sea?

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.

Section 1

طرحت الهجمات التي تشنها جماعة “أنصار الله” (الحوثي) في اليمن، منذ نحو عام على السفن العابرة من باب المندب، حي ممر الملاحة الدولية والبحر الأحمر، في سياق تضامنها مع غزة، تساؤلات عدة عن المكاسب التي حققتها الجماعة من وراء ذلك.

وعلى الرغم من أن الجماعة اليمنية المدعومة من إيران تؤكد أن عملياتها ضد السفن المتجهة إلى دولة الاحتلال الاسرائيلي أو المرتبطة بها، إسناد لغزة التي تتعرض لحرب مدمرة للعام الثاني على التوالي، فإن تقريرا أمميا زعم “جني الحوثيين نحو 180 مليون دولار شهريا من وكالات شحن بحرية، مقابل عدم اعتراض سفنها التجارية في البحر الأحمر وخليج عدن”.

The attacks launched by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group in Yemen, for about a year, on ships passing through Bab al-Mandab, the international shipping lane, and the Red Sea, in the context of its solidarity with Gaza, have raised several questions about the gains achieved by the group from this.

Although the Iranian-backed Yemeni group asserts that its operations against ships heading to or linked to the Israeli occupation state are in support of Gaza, which is undergoing a devastating war for the second year in a row, a UN report claimed that “the Houthis are earning about $180 million per month from shipping agencies, in exchange for not intercepting their commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.” (…)

Go to vocab Section 1

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.

Location of the Bab al-Mandab in the Red Sea
Source: https://www.openstreetmap.org

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.

Section 2

وفي السياق، يرى الكاتب والمحلل السياسي اليمني، عبدالعزيز المجيدي، أنه على المستوى الداخلي حصلت مليشيا الحوثي ـ حسب وصفه ـ بالتأكيد على مكاسب دعائية كشريك في دفع العدوان عن غزة، وهو الغطاء لدورها الإيراني في الملف.

وتابع المجيدي في حديث خاص لـ”عربي21″ بأن أهم مكاسبها هو “أن هذه الأدوار منحتها القدرة على تجاوز إطارها كفاعل محلي إلى لعب دور إقليمي”

وأضاف أن هذه المكاسب انعكست أيضا في إبداء السعودية تقديرا أكبر للجماعة ومتابعة المشاورات لعقد صفقة سلام معها قد تكون على حساب حلفائها

In this context, the Yemeni journalist and political analyst Abdul Aziz al-Majidi believes that on the domestic (internal) level, the Houthi militia – according to his description – marketed itself (obtained propaganda gains) as a partner in deterring the aggression against Gaza, which is a cover for its Iranian role in this case.

In exclusive statements to Arabi 21, al-Majidi added tha its most important gain is that “these roles enabled it to overcome its role as a local player and assume a more regional role”.

He added that these gains were also reflected in Saudi Arabia showing greater appreciation for the group and following up on consultations to conclude a peace deal, which may come at the expense of its allies.

Go to vocab Section 2

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.

Section 3

قال المجيدي: “يبدو أن هذا النهم للحصول على المال قد وظفته في عملياتها في البحر الأحمر لتحصل على أموال طائلة ضمن نشاط بدا أقرب لأعمال القرصنة، متابعا: “ولهذا بدت أعمال مليشيا الحوثي في البحر الأحمر مفيدة للجماعة سياسيا وماليا وربما عسكريا،…

وأشار إلى أن نشاط الجماعة العسكري “جاء ملبياً لحاجة ملحة للتخلص من موجة السخط الشعبية الناجمة عن سياساتهم الاقتصادية والمالية الكارثية التي عممت الحرمان بحق مئات آلاف الموظفين في الجهاز الحكومي المدني والعسكري بسبب عدم صرف المرتبات“، بالإضافة إلى سياسة فرض الجبايات، ومصادرة الممتلكات الخاصة والعامة…

“It seems that this greed for money has been used in its operations in the Red Sea to obtain huge sums of money in an activity that seems closer to piracy”, Al-Majidi said. “In that sense (That’s why), the Houthi militia’s operations in the Red Sea seemed to be beneficial to the group on the political and financial levels, also maybe militarily…”

He pointed out that the group’s military activity “met (came in response to) an urgent need to remedy the growing popular disgruntlement resulting from the group’s disastrous economic and financial policies, which spread deprivation among hundreds of thousands of employees in the civilian and military governmental apparatus due to the non-payment of the salaries”, not to mention the policy of imposing taxes and confiscating private and public properties…

Go to vocab Section 3

Section 4

وحسب المحلل السياسي اليمني، فإنه لا يمكن التقليل من أهمية ما ورد في تقرير الخبراء بشأن “الفوائد المالية التي يجنيها الحوثيون جراء فرض إتاوات على السفن”، وقال أيضا، إن هذا الأمر يذكرنا بنشاط القرصنة الذي ساد لسنوات في خليج عدن بواسطة مسلحين صوماليين.

According to the Yemeni political analyst, the importance of the experts’ report on “the financial benefits the Houthis reap from imposing tributes on ships cannot be underestimated.” He also said that this brought back to mind of (reminds us of/is reminiscent of) the piracy activity that prevailed for years in the Gulf of Aden by Somali armed men (militants)…

Go to vocab Section 4

Vocabulary list

All the words in the above article marked in color can be found in this table with explanations.

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.

Part 1: Analysis of a headline

ARABIC	EXPLANATION
عَتَبةٌ pl: أَعْتابٌ or عَتَبٌ or عَتَباتٌ	doorstep; threshold. Also: spur or ledge, like the step of a ladder, on a mountainside; step or rug of a ladder. The singular form عَتَبةٌ is often used in phrases, for example, above the poverty line (فَوْقَ عَتَبةِ الْفَقْرِ) or on the verge of war (عَلَى عَتَبةِ الْحَرْبِ). Watch out: The expression الْعَتَباتُ الْمُقَدَّسةُ means the Holy Sites (in Shia Islam, usually referring to the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf).

ARABIC

EXPLANATION

عَتَبةٌ
pl: أَعْتابٌ or عَتَبٌ or عَتَباتٌ

doorstep; threshold. Also: spur or ledge, like the step of a ladder, on a mountainside; step or rug of a ladder. The singular form عَتَبةٌ is often used in phrases, for example, above the poverty line (فَوْقَ عَتَبةِ الْفَقْرِ) or on the verge of war (عَلَى عَتَبةِ الْحَرْبِ).

Watch out: The expression الْعَتَباتُ الْمُقَدَّسةُ means the Holy Sites (in Shia Islam, usually referring to the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf).