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https://theconversation.com/america-is-the-mother-of-terrorism-why-the-houthis-new-slogan-is-important-for-understanding-the-middle-east-222865>
"Yemen’s Houthi militants continue to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea,
undeterred by the intensifying Western airstrikes or the group’s re-designation
as a “global terrorist” organisation. As their attacks have intensified, the
group’s slogan (or sarkha, meaning “scream”) has also gained notoriety.
Banners bearing the sarkha dot the streets in areas of Yemen under Houthi
control and are brandished by supporters at their rallies. It declares: “God is
Great, death to America, death to Israel, a curse upon the Jews, victory to
Islam.” (The mentions of the Houthis’ enemies appear in a red font resembling
barbed wire).
Many commentators are quick to point out the origins of the sarkha can be
traced to a motto from the Iranian revolution. The link reveals the
longstanding relationship between the Houthis and their principal regional
backer, Iran.
The sarkha also carries an anti-imperialist message, which has caused some
outside analysts to overestimate the Houthis’ local legitimacy and diminish the
suffering of ordinary Yemenis living under their brutal and exclusionary rule.
Since the Houthis’ re-designation as a global terrorist organisation, another
slogan has become prevalent on placards at their rallies. Set against a red
background, it reads: “America is the mother of terrorism.”
At first glance, this appears to be an extension of the ideological sentiments
conveyed in the sarkha.
However, this slogan also reflects the complexity of Yemeni views about US
counterterrorism interventions and the widespread belief that these have
provided terrorist groups with the oxygen they need to survive."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
