What Role Do Yemen's Houthi Militias Play in the War Against Iran?
After a two-month lull in military activity, the Houthi group in Yemen has launched fresh attacks against Israel. On Monday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari stated that the group had fired missiles towards Israel. Simultaneously, he announced a ‘total blockade’ on shipping linked to Israel in the Red Sea, declaring all Israeli activities in the region would be considered military targets. According to Israeli authorities, attempted attacks from Yemen were still occurring as of Tuesday. No major damage has been reported, with most attacks said to have been successfully intercepted. The Houthi announcement coincided with the latest wave of attacks between Israel and Iran and is understood to be a form of support for the allied Iranian regime. Both Iran and Israel indicated on Monday that direct military confrontation between them had ended, at least for the time being.
The resurgence in Houthi activity is closely linked to the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, a conflict Iran also cited to justify its military action against Israel. Abdulghani Al-Iryani, a political scientist and researcher at the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, noted that Israeli troop advances in Lebanon triggered significant anger in Yemeni society, compelling the Houthis to respond. The attacks simultaneously meet the expectations of Houthi supporters, Hezbollah, and Iran. However, Al-Iryani does not anticipate the Houthis will reimpose a large-scale blockade in the Red Sea, as such a move could damage their relations with Saudi Arabia, upon which Yemen remains heavily dependent economically, describing it as suicidal. Instead, limited actions against ships with direct links to Israel are considered more likely.
Christoph Leonhardt, deputy director of Middle East Minds, views the Houthi missile strikes primarily as a political and strategic signal aimed at gaining internal legitimacy and projecting strength, rather than achieving clear operational goals. He distinguishes between direct attacks on Israeli territory and deterrence strategies in maritime lanes. Even if the Houthis halt their missile strikes, they can still continue activities in the Red Sea, likely carrying out limited but effective operations, for instance in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Leonhardt assesses that direct escalation with Israel is relatively unlikely due to capacity constraints. In these activities, the Houthis remain reliant on Tehran’s support through the so-called ‘Axis of Resistance’, which provides weapons, training, and strategic backing, though the group maintains a certain degree of operational independence. The extent of this dependency remains a subject of debate among observers.
Despite suffering significant losses in recent years, the Houthis remain a military force to be reckoned with, according to analysis by the International Crisis Group (ICG), which describes the group as being far from exhausted. The ICG notes their actions aim not only to support Iran but also to secure their own political future, with attacks on Israel partly driven by domestic political considerations. Since the Gaza war began, the Houthis have increasingly presented themselves as part of a regional alliance opposing Israel and the United States, boosting the movement’s popularity. The confrontation with an external enemy also helps divert attention from the ongoing economic difficulties plaguing Yemen. While the Houthis have regional power ambitions, their capabilities have limits; a prolonged conflict could deplete their stock of missiles, drones, and ammunition. Furthermore, it is unclear to what extent Iran can continue supplying its ally if it faces greater military pressure itself. Leonhardt believes further Houthi action is possible, as even a stable ceasefire between Iran and Israel might not halt their attacks. The Houthis’ main strength lies in their ability to inflict significant economic damage using drones, missiles, and attacks on trade routes, with their strategic position near the Bab al-Mandab Strait carrying significant weight in regional security calculations. The expansion of Houthi maritime activity could further destabilise global oil supplies and drive up energy prices.
The risks are substantial for the group itself. Saudi journalist Abdulrahman Al-Rashed noted that Iran has now activated its ‘third arm’, a force that could potentially threaten shipping in Bab al-Mandab. Such a threat could increase pressure on adversaries.