The Houthi rebels from Yemen, based more than a thousand miles away in Sanaa, have entered the Israel-Hamas conflict, supported by Iran as a part of the “Axis of Resistance.” This has expanded the conflict’s scope and introduced a new front for the Houthi movement, which has been engaged in an eight-year war against a Saudi-led Gulf coalition.
Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, made a televised statement confirming their involvement. He revealed that the group had launched a substantial number of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel, vowing further attacks to assist the Palestinian cause. This marks the third instance of Houthi attacks on Israel since the conflict began, substantiating their role in incidents such as the drone attack on October 28, which resulted in explosions in Egypt, and the October 19 interception of three cruise missiles by the U.S. Navy.
Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi expressed his view that the Houthi attacks were unacceptable, though he didn’t elaborate on how Israel might respond to this new development.
The Houthi movement is known for its slogan: “Death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory to Islam.”
The Houthi rebels are a formidable component of the “Axis of Resistance,” which opposes both Israel and the United States. This axis has been involved in various attacks across the region since October 7. Iran-backed Iraqi militias have targeted U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, while Lebanon’s Hezbollah has engaged in exchanges of fire with Israeli forces along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
The Houthi rebels have demonstrated their missile and drone capabilities during the Yemeni conflict, launching attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Saudi-led coalition has accused Iran of providing support to the Houthi rebels, including arms, training, and funding. In response, the Houthi group has denied being an Iranian proxy, asserting that they develop their own weaponry.
As Israel’s primary ally, the United States has deployed aircraft carriers to deter the expansion of the Gaza conflict. Iran has also indicated its desire to prevent the war from spreading further.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian suggested that Tehran’s allies could take further action, stating that “Resistance groups will not remain silent in the face of the Zionist regime’s crimes and America’s full support for the Zionist regime.” He warned that if the situation spirals out of control, the consequences could be widespread.
Houthi spokesperson Saree placed the blame for instability in the Middle East on Israel, stating that the “circle of conflict” in the region was expanding due to Israel’s “continued crimes.” The Houthis have pledged to continue their attacks until Israeli aggression ceases.
Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center noted that, for now, Houthi attacks are more about sending a message than posing a genuine military threat. However, the risk to Israel would increase in the event of an all-out engagement with multiple rocket launches from various directions, which could overwhelm air defenses.
Yemen had experienced over a year of relative calm due to UN-led peace efforts. Saudi Arabia had been in negotiations with the Houthi rebels, aiming to end the conflict, while focusing on economic priorities at home. However, Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel have heightened the risk of conflict for Saudi Arabia.
The flight path for any drone or missile launched from Yemen passes over western Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea, before crossing Jordan and entering Israel. This presents a potential threat to Saudi Arabia, prompting concerns over the conflict spilling across its borders.
Inquiries concerning the kingdom’s worries about Houthi assaults were not answered by the Saudi Arabian government’s press office.
Saudi analyst Aziz Alghashian voiced concern that the war might place Saudi Arabia in a position where it must choose sides between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Saudi Arabia’s goal is likely to avoid such a predicament.
In 2019, the Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack that temporarily cut more than half of Saudi Arabia’s oil production. The United States attributed the attack to Iran, which Iran vehemently denied.
This creative blog delves into the unexpected involvement of Houthi rebels from Yemen in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the broader regional implications of this development.
Conclusion:
The entry of Yemen’s Houthi rebels into the Israel-Hamas conflict has added a new layer of complexity to an already volatile situation in the Middle East. Their alignment with the “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition opposed to both Israel and the United States, has broadened the scope of the conflict, raising concerns among regional powers.
Saudi Arabia, which had been engaged in peace negotiations with the Houthi rebels, now faces growing concerns about the conflict spilling across its borders. The flight path for Houthi-launched drones and missiles passes over western Saudi Arabia, creating a potential threat that must be carefully monitored.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches with bated breath. The involvement of Houthi rebels underscores the intricate web of regional dynamics and alliances, and it highlights the need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. The region is on edge, and the ramifications of these developments are yet to fully materialize. In a complex geopolitical landscape, the importance of de-escalation and diplomacy cannot be overstated. The coming days will reveal how this unexpected player influences the course of the Israel-Hamas conflict and its broader impact on regional stability.