Houthi Rebels Launch Operation Against Israel
On Wednesday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, announced a new operation titled “Holy Jihad War” aimed at Israel. This initiative involves collaboration with Hezbollah, another Iranian ally.
The Houthi military, known as the “Yemeni Army” or YAF, asserts that it is not the legitimate government of Yemen. They claim this operation aims to bolster the “resistance front,” fulfilling their “religious, moral, and humanitarian obligations” to align with Iran’s Axis allies.
According to Houthi spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Salih, missiles targeted southern Israel last weekend, coordinated with “Iran’s Mujahideen brothers and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.” He referred to “Mujahideen” as holy warriors and stated that the attack was successful by divine grace.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that two cruise missiles and a potential drone strike were launched from Yemen, but all were intercepted effectively.
On Wednesday, the Houthis reportedly executed a third missile strike, although details about this attack remain unclear.
Military analysts suggest that the Houthis may be carrying out these actions largely as symbolic gestures, showcasing loyalty to Iran rather than initiating a full-scale conflict like Hezbollah. They entered the broader Iranian conflict relatively late and lack extensive offensive capabilities.
Interestingly, a researcher noted that while the Houthis, different from Shiite groups like Hezbollah, prioritize their own strategic interests over Iran’s. The Zaidis, who follow a distinct sect of Shiite Islam, share some connections to Iranian religious centers but hold significant doctrinal differences.
Zaidism recognizes five rather than the twelve imams venerated in other Shiite sects. This sect name reflects the fifth Holy Imam, Zayd ibn Ali. The Houthis come from a region in northwestern Yemen and constitute about 35% of the population. Historically, Zaidiism dominated Yemen until it was replaced in 1962.
Initially, the Houthi movement aimed to restore the Zaidi faith, but it has since adopted wider militant aspirations. They now refer to themselves as Ansar Allah, or “Army of Allah,” with a motto that includes stark anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiments.
This context clarifies the Houthis’ alliance with Iran. Even with a significant arsenal at their disposal, the extent of damage they can inflict on behalf of Iran may have its limits.
Some observers note that while the Houthis show support for Iran, their involvement does not enjoy the same domestic backing as their engagement in the Gaza conflict. Despite limited geographical threat to Israel, the Houthis can disrupt maritime operations in the Red Sea, which could complicate matters for Israel and affect Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia.
While tensions persist between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing Yemeni civil war, it is evident that the Houthis pose a more immediate threat to Saudi Arabia than to Israel, especially in terms of ground forces and short-range armaments.
