Houthi leader: Israel pursuing four strategic objectives in Syria
On Thursday, Houthi (Ansarallah) leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi framed Israel's intensified airstrikes in Syria as part of a 'calculated strategy' to reshape the regional balance of power.
In a televised address, he laid out four objectives, the first being the 'normalization of unprovoked aggression' — strikes carried out repeatedly and without military retaliation.
The second centers on Israel's role in Syria's internal affairs. "By presenting itself as a protector of the Druze and other minorities, Israel capitalizes on the sectarian conduct of certain armed factions," al-Houthi said, referencing recent events in Suwayda.
A third objective, he added, involves carving out a buffer zone deep within Syrian territory, extending toward Damascus and justified under vague 'security classifications.'
Finally, al-Houthi argued that Israel seeks to restrict Syria's sovereignty — from weapons development and foreign alliances to political direction — in order to cement long-term dominance.
He cited Israel's expanding military footprint as evidence of these ambitions, pointing to more than eight Israeli bases in northern Quneitra connected by a fortified corridor near the capital.
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