Houthis Target Israel with Missile Attack
The Iranian-backed Houthis launched two missiles at Israel on Saturday, adding a new layer to the ongoing conflict with Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other militant groups. The Houthis claimed they aimed at key military installations in Israel, while the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that they successfully intercepted both a cruise missile and a ballistic missile.
Nadwa al-Dawsari, a Yemeni specialist at the Middle East Institute, commented on the situation: “This is fundamentally about the survival of the Iranian regime. The Houthis, guided by the Revolutionary Guard’s Operations Room, have shown resilience against significant airstrikes from the U.S. and Israel. For both Iran and the Houthis, survival rather than total victory defines success.”
In recent times, Iran has continued its missile and drone attacks on neighboring nations, leading to various interceptions. Al-Dawsari elaborated that the Houthis’ strategy focuses on extending the conflict and raising its costs. Given their capabilities, they could intensify pressure on Saudi Arabia, potentially leading to renewed attacks in the Red Sea.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has persisted since 2015 and shifted under the Biden administration, which initially pressured the Saudis to pause military actions against the Houthis. However, during Trump’s administration, the Houthis were again labeled a foreign terrorist organization.
Saudi analyst Salman al-Ansari remarked that the Houthis seem to be following orders from Tehran. Even though they don’t control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, they have the means to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea, and there’s skepticism regarding their reliance on Iran going forward.
Notably, the Houthis maintain a strong anti-American and anti-Israel stance, reflected in their movement’s slogan: “Allah is Great. Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse to the Jews. Victory to Islam.” They currently hold significant territory in northwest Yemen, having ousted the recognized government from the capital, Sanaa, years ago.
The alliance between the Houthis and Hamas marks a troubling development, particularly after Hamas’s attack on Israel that claimed many lives, including over 40 Americans. In 2024, Houthi drones reportedly killed civilians in Tel Aviv.
Michael Shant, an international relations expert, shared that Iran has already faced severe setbacks from U.S. and Israeli actions, leading to the severing of supply lines to Yemen. This may hinder the Houthis’ capability to sustain a prolonged assault against Israel, despite their still-sizable stockpile of missiles and drones.
Shant expressed concern over the strategic implications of the Houthis provoking Israel as they remain a consistent threat to various nations, including Saudi Arabia, the U.S., and others. Observers are left to ponder the future trajectory of this conflict as tensions continue to rise.
The missile attacks occurred just hours before a terrorist group spokesperson warned that their “finger was on the trigger.”
