Saudi Arabia's Rhetorical Construction of the Houthis as an Iranian Proxy

This chapter delves into the Saudi rationale for intervening in Yemen, examining how Saudi Arabia constructed Saudi Arabia as a friend of Yemen and the Houthis as a proxy of Iran, tied together by being Shia. The rhetorical connection between the Houthis and Iran served to escalate an initially domestic Yemeni issue to one with broader regional and international implications, ultimately fuelling the conflict by introducing regional and sectarian dimensions.

Utilizing official statements from key Saudi figures related to the Yemen intervention, the chapter analyzes the official Saudi discourse on the Houthis, particularly as presented to an English-speaking audience. Through this exploration, it highlights the role of identity in shaping geopolitical narratives, asserting that the expression of identity not only influences foreign policy but also shapes international relationships.

The Saudis strategically linked Yemen's transitional president, Hadi, to international legitimacy, contrasting this with the portrayal of the Houthis as an illegitimate militia backed by Iran. This framing positioned Saudi Arabia's intervention as a moral obligation to assist the Yemeni people against an externally supported, hostile takeover. Over time, this narrative has contributed to the regionalization and increased sectarianization of the Yemeni conflict.

While the processes of sectarianization and regionalization are not inherently interconnected, understanding their interplay in the Yemeni context provides insights into how these dynamics can either facilitate or hinder broader regional efforts toward desectarianization.