Iran using Yemen's education system to glorify jihad - IMPACT-se

• Author: TOBIAS SIEGAL
• Published date: 30 March 2021
• Date: 30 March 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The report "constitutes one of the most concerning of IMPACT-se's assessments of Middle Eastern curricula," according to the institute, which monitors school textbooks and curriculums around the world.

IMPACT-se's review refers to the situation in Yemen that began in 2015, when Houthi rebels took control of the capital of Sanaa. Until then, "Yemen was considered an exception to the disappointing developments of the Arab Spring," the report states, noting that Yemen was relatively "stable and hopeful," with regional specialists expecting it to become the first Arab nation that adopts the federal model.

However, things took an unexpected turn, when Iran, recognizing the opportunity to expand its influence, implemented its militia doctrine in Yemen. According to this doctrine, Iran aims to create loyal militias wherever possible in the region.

In that regard, the Houthis stood out, having established ties with Teheran decades earlier. Noting the opportunity of becoming an independent governing force in Yemen, the Houthis jumped on the opportunity and became Iran's loyal proxy in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

This is where education comes in. Recognizing the need to bestow Iranian values and culture among its distant proxies, "education became a focal point for Tehran's empire builders," according to IMPACT-se.

Today, IMPACT-se estimates that Iran is involved - through the Houthi movement - in both primary and higher education institutes in Yemen. On the other side of the coin, hundreds of Houthi students are currently studying in Iran.

The IMPACT-se report explains that the Iranian curriculum, spread among its proxies, teaches children the importance of "uniting the Muslims against Western

enemies."

Examples include textbooks that describe the US as the "Greater Satan" and use the American flag as a symbol of oppression, which children must defend themselves from.

This blind hatred toward "Western forces" includes Israel as well, with textbooks openly calling for the destruction of Israel and describing it a "cancerous growth."

Jews specifically are also a main focus of Houthi education, according to IMPACT-se, with learning materials accusing Jews for "nefarious conspiracies," and presenting them as a "unique enemy of Islam and the people of Yemen."

The Houthi slogan, which reflects this triangle...