Thread by @_AhmedQuraishi

For the first time, #Pakistan calls the Houthis "terrorist," which is in concert with American & Saudi designation of the proxy militia. This clarity on the group that controls #Yemen capital #Sanaa was long overdue. /1

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1351110570309775366

In 2015, on my TV show & in a detailed article for Hilal Magazine, I argued that Yemen was not a sectarian conflict, & that a proxy militia's takeover of a capital was no different from Swat TTP's attempt to seize Pakistan's capital Islamabad a decade ago. /2

The Houthi takeover of Yemen as a first step toward creating chaos in the Gulf also threatened Pakistan's national interest, and energy & economic security, not to mention weakening strong allies. This clarity was essential for policy making. But was lost amid misinformed. /3

Iran is an important neighbor. It's Houthi proxy's work in Yemen/Gulf served Iranian govt interests but badly harmed Pakistani interests. It could've also harmed Iranian people's interests. Tehran likely did not take these facts into consideration. /4

For all the operational mistakes of the Yemeni govt in exile & its Gulf backers, Iran's role in prolonging the war by supporting a proxy is also a problem. It's not dissimilar to how Tehran (& New Delhi) prolonged the Afghan civil war in 1990s. /5

Yemen is now linked to the larger Iran-US-West crisis. Yemen war will continue bcz Houthis are now a negotiation card for Iran in its larger dialogue with the West & Gulf on its nuclear/ballistic programs, regional role. /6

My article | Politics, Not Sect, Will Decide The Strategic Conflict of #Yemen | Hilal Magazine, 2015. #Pakistan /7

hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/po…

@threadreaderapp unroll