(De)legitimation strategies in the Yemeni proxy war: Analysis of Houthi’s Al Masirah media discourse

Language, Discourse & SocietyJune 2025

Alghamdi, Fahad Salem J [1],
Surinderpal Kaur [2], Ayeshah Syed [3]

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15763198

[1]Universiti Malaya, Department of English Language,  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0515-5781, fahadfm2009@hotmail.com
 
 
[2] Universiti Malaya, Department of English Language, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7947-8650, surinder@um.edu.my
 
 
[3] Universiti Malaya, Department of English Language, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7947-8650, ayeshahsyed@um.edu.my
 

Abstract

This article delves into the discourse strategies employed by Houthi in its media on the Yemeni proxy war, with a dual focus on elucidating their means of legitimizing collaboration with Iran while concurrently undermining the ousted Yemeni government and the Saudi-led coalition. By conducting a meticulous examination of sixteen Al Masirah news articles published between April 2018 and March 2019, this study unveils the intricate mechanics underpinning the construction of Houthi discourse. Employing thematic analysis to identify the primary topics spanning the entirety of the texts, the research uncovers two pivotal themes: the first centers on defining the ingroup and the second on delineating the outgroup. The research findings underscore that the core of Houthi discourse is rooted in the strategic emphasis on armed resistance as a response to perceived aggression, culminating in the establishment of legitimacy. Conversely, the discourse systematically diminishes the standing of adversaries by framing the Saudi-led coalition, the United States, and Israel as instigators of conflict, ultimately attributing adverse consequences to their interventions. This nuanced exploration of the socio-cognitive dimensions intrinsic to Houthi discourse enriches our comprehension of intricate power dynamics and ideological clashes, thereby shedding light on their implications not only within the Yemeni war but also across the expansive canvas of the broader Middle East landscape.

Keywords: Al Masirah Media, delegitimation strategies, Houthi discourse, legitimation strategies, Yemen proxy war

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