EDITORIAL — A tougher stand against Houthis

Since returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump has made decisions that didn’t sit well with many. However, one decision he made seems to be getting approval from both his critics and admirers; his tougher stand against Houthi militants.

Just a few days ago, Trump declared war against the group.

“Watch how it will get progressively worse — It’s not even a fair fight, and never will be… They will be completely annihilated!” he has been quoted as saying.

While we do not relish the thought of even more conflict in any part of the world and always advocate for dialogue as a way to settle possible conflict, the Houthis have proven themselves to be a terrorist group with their persistent rocket attacks against ships in the Red Sea.

Because while they claim to only target Israel-flagged vessels in protest of the war against Gaza, they have had no qualms targeting ships not even affiliated with Israel or people of other nationalities, the same way Hamas militants murdered people regardless of nationality when they rampaged through Israel in October of 2023, which started the war in Gaza.

Houthis have also allegedly demanded money in exchange for safe passage of ships, according to some sources, essentially making them pirates aside from terrorists.

We must also not forget that many Filipino seafarers have been taken hostage by these Houthi terrorists, with many being held for months.

And with Iran, often blamed for supporting the Houthis, saying that the terror group acts according to its own interests, it’s tacitly telling the US to have a go at them but leave Iran alone.

A bloodless solution must always be on the table, but while some groups can be dialogued with there are others that cannot. At least not until they have been pummeled into submission.

You will be surprised how some people suddenly want to talk when they have no more options available.