Israel's recent strikes against Iran's regional allies have done little to deter Yemen's Houthi forces, which have emerged as an increasingly significant player in the widening Middle East conflict, according to US officials and analysts reports the Wall Street Journal.
While Israeli operations have targeted the leadership of Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, including strikes on Iranian missile facilities, the Houthis have continued launching attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The group has targeted over 80 commercial vessels with drones and missiles since the outbreak of the Gaza war, disrupting global trade routes.
"One of the unfortunate offshoots of the Gaza conflict is...that the Houthis have doubled down on their contacts with other malign actors in the region and beyond," US special envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderkin said. He described the trend as "very alarming."
The Yemen-based group has avoided the fate of other Iran-backed forces. Israeli strikes killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who orchestrated the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Meanwhile, the Houthis have leveraged the Gaza conflict to boost their standing.
"The Houthis have morphed from sandal-wearing fighters to rock stars. These are people who you want to be associated with right now," said Michael Knights, co-founder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which studies Iran-backed groups in the Middle East.
The group's rise from local force to regional power is documented in a recent United Nations report, which found evidence of Houthi cooperation with various armed groups. The report cited joint operations centers in Iraq and Lebanon aimed at coordinating actions of Iran-backed groups. Lenderking noted "quite extensive" cooperation between the Houthis and Somalia's al-Shabaab group, saying they are discussing ways to "menace and threaten freedom of navigation in the Red Sea." The UN report also revealed agreements between the Houthis and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula regarding weapons transfers and potential joint operations against the internationally recognized Yemeni government in Aden.
I gotta say… the Houthi/al-Qassam propaganda videos are absolute bangers pic.twitter.com/BcNDJU6vTV
— drac-hoxha flow🔻⛏️ (@lemonslimejesus) October 27, 2024
Russia's involvement has added another dimension to the situation. Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer exchanged for US basketball star Brittney Griner, is attempting to sell assault rifles to the Houthis. Russia has provided targeting data for Red Sea attacks and is considering supplying anti-ship missiles to the group.
A Russian warship evacuated Iran's missile and drone program commander in Yemen, Abdul Reza Shahlai, from Hodeidah port in April, according to a Western security official. The US has offered $15 million for Shahlai, who is accused of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington and planning an attack targeting US civilians.
Despite US retaliatory strikes, including an October 16 operation using B-2 Spirit bombers targeting underground weapons stores, the Houthis have maintained their capabilities. While Israel has conducted some strikes against the group, it has largely left confrontation to Western allies.
"The Houthis quickly stepped in to fill the political and military void within the axis of resistance," following Israel's operations against other regional forces, said Mohammed Albasha, a US-based Middle East security analyst.
