Photo credit/Pexels-Irwan Zahuri
The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthi militia in Yemen has recently intensified, with both sides escalating their rhetoric and actions. The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Shiite rebel group originating from northern Yemen. They have been a significant force in Yemen’s civil war, which has raged since 2014, and are widely recognised as a proxy of Iran in the region.
The Houthis’ ability to launch long-range missile and drone attacks, coupled with their strategic location near vital international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, makes them a critical element in Iran’s regional strategy to counterbalance Israel and its allies.
In late 2024, tensions flared dramatically. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Houthis launched approximately 40 surface-to-surface missiles and 320 drones toward Israeli territory since the onset of the latest escalation. Although most were intercepted by Israeli air defense systems, a few reached their targets, causing limited damage. This marks a significant shift in the Houthis’ operational capabilities, suggesting advanced training and weaponry supplied by Iran.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has been unequivocal in his response. Speaking in December, Katz vowed to “hunt down all Houthi leaders and strike at them as we have done in other places.” This declaration follows a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi leaders and infrastructure, which Israeli sources claim are designed to cripple the group’s ability to continue its attacks.
Iranian Influence and Regional Dynamics
The Houthis’ attacks align with Iran’s broader geopolitical objectives. By equipping and training the Houthis, Tehran seeks to open a southern front against Israel, stretching Israeli defence resources and complicating its strategic calculations. This mirrors the role Hezbollah played along Israel’s northern border.
The conflict also ties into broader Iranian efforts to disrupt global shipping and challenge Western-aligned nations in the region. The Houthis’ proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a crucial chokepoint for international trade—amplifies their strategic value to Iran. Attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden highlight the Houthis’ capacity to disrupt regional stability.
Israeli Countermeasures
Israel has ramped up its intelligence and operational efforts against the Houthis. Reports indicate that advanced surveillance and targeting capabilities, including drones and cyber-operations, have been employed to identify and eliminate high-value Houthi targets. In recent days, a number of senior Houthi leaders were reportedly killed in precision strikes, leading to internal paranoia within the group. The Houthis have initiated widespread arrests in Sanaa, suspecting spies within their ranks, and their leadership has gone underground, avoiding electronic communications.
U.S. Involvement
The United States has also played a role in countering the Houthi threat. On January 3, 2025, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced precision strikes on underground facilities used by the Houthis to store advanced weapons. These facilities were allegedly linked to attacks on U.S. Navy vessels and commercial ships in the Red Sea. While the U.S. strikes did not result in casualties, they underscore the broader international effort to contain the Houthis and their Iranian sponsors.
The Broader War Context
The current flare-up between Israel and the Houthis comes against the backdrop of a multi-front conflict for Israel. Since October 2023, Israel has been engaged in a broader war involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian forces in Iraq, and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza and the West Bank. The Houthis’ involvement adds a new dimension to this complex conflict, further highlighting the interconnected nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
For Israel, the stakes are high. Successfully neutralising the Houthi threat would secure its southern front and reduce Iran’s capacity to project power via proxies. For the Houthis, their actions serve as a demonstration of loyalty to Tehran and a means to assert their relevance on the international stage.
However, as both sides escalate their actions, the potential for broader regional destabilization grows. With Israel’s commitment to aggressive countermeasures and the Houthis’ determination to maintain their offensive, the coming months will likely see continued attacks from the two players and a test of endurance for both parties.
