The Israeli military recently announced that it successfully prevented an aerial attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
This development has heightened concerns across the region over the potential escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, as per CNN.
Iran-Backed Rebels Join Israel-Hamas Conflict
The significance of the Houthis' involvement, their capabilities, and the potential implications for the Middle East. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the Houthi forces, revealed that ballistic missiles and drones were launched against targets in Israel in what he termed as the third operation in support of the Palestinian people.
The Houthi group spokesperson, Yahya Saria, stated that these attacks were motivated by a sense of religious, moral, humanitarian, and national responsibility to aid the people of Gaza, who face a humanitarian crisis due to Israeli bombardment.
On Tuesday, the Israeli Arrow-3 anti-ballistic missile system managed to intercept and thwart the Houthi missile attack. While the Houthis possess weapons that can reach Israel, their capabilities are likely insufficient to bypass Israel's advanced air defense systems.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously accused Iran of preparing to launch precision-guided missiles at Israel from Yemen, warning of the potential danger posed by such actions. The Houthi rebel group is known to have close links and support from the Iranian government. They have engaged in conflict with the Saudi-led coalition, supported by the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Israel.
Their focus has primarily been on countering the alliance led by Iran's regional rival. Consequently, the Houthis have targeted energy installations in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE in recent years. The announcement of Houthi involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict raises concerns about the potential participation of more regional players.
The Houthis have a history of conducting attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, using improvised explosive devices and mines, according to The New York Times.
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Yemen's Dominant Militant Force
They have also been blamed for several cross-border terrorist attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Houthis emerged in the 1990s as a theological group representing the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam. Initially, their primary objective was to defend Zaidi Shia rights against perceived external influences, particularly the Sunni Wahhabi ideology.
However, they quickly became dominant political players in Yemen and gained control over the capital, Sana'a, in 2014. The Houthis' military capabilities have since grown significantly, with access to ballistic missiles, drones, and other weaponry from Iran, as well as weapons seized during Yemen's 2014 coup.
The Houthis reportedly possess missiles capable of reaching up to 2,500 km, enabling them to target major Israeli cities from their stronghold in Sana'a. They have previously launched attacks deep into Saudi territory and disrupted global oil prices by targeting major oil facilities.
Additionally, their substantial numbers, estimated to range from tens of thousands to over 100,000 personnel, including local tribe members and defected military units, have solidified their control over essential regions in Yemen, News18 reported.
