# Houthis' Diplomacy, Not War

> Houthis' alliance with Iran is a marriage of convenience but military victory is impossible.
- Title: Houthis' Diplomacy, Not War · Nationalpost | Shortify
- Summary: Houthis' alliance with Iran is a marriage of convenience but military victory is impossible. Hisham Al-Omeisy, a former U.S. State Department official held…
- Keywords: houthi, iran, hisham al-omeisy, sanaa, university of calgary, state department, military conflict, diplomacy, news, politics, Houthis', War
- Source: Nationalpost — https://nationalpost.com/news/houthis-diplomacy-not-war
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: houthi, iran, hisham al-omeisy, sanaa, university of calgary, state department, military conflict, diplomacy, news, politics
## Houthis' military challenge
The Houthis are back on the front page after a week of strikes on Saudi airports, including the main terminal in Riyadh.
## Houthis' economic impact
The same problem runs through the bab al-mandeb, the narrow strait at the bottom of the red sea.
## Hisham Al-Omeisy's background
Hisham Al-Omeisy, 47, was born in sanaa and was among the first of about 100 students chosen on merit for a nexen scholarship program.
## Houthis' captivity
He was held by the houthis for five months and released in january 2018 after they picked him up in august 2017.
## Houthis' torture methods
Between torture sessions, they put him and other prisoners into dark, dungeon-like cells to stimulate the feeling you're being buried alive.
## Houthis' diplomatic exclusion
The houthis were not at the table because of their fto designation, the u.s. foreign-terrorist-organization listing washington restored in 2025.
## Key takeaway

Hisham Al-Omeisy, a former U.S. State Department official held by Houthis for five months, says military victory against them is impossible.