Israel recently launched a major airstrike on the Houthis. However, this move could backfire for Israel. Amid the ongoing Iran-Israel tensions, Yemen has emerged as a major hotspot in the Middle East. Intense attacks were launched from Yemen — and behind them were the Houthis. The extent of the Houthis' power was also witnessed during the recent Red Sea crisis when the US and UK launched joint strikes against them. Despite that, the US later had to initiate a compromise. Many believe that if Israel engages with the Houthis, it could prove to be a costly mistake.
The Houthis first demonstrated their strength in 2004 when they began opposing the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Since then, this rebel group has steadily increased its power. Recently, during the war between Israel and Hamas, the group launched relentless attacks on the Red Sea, targeting cargo ships from the US, UK, and other countries. These attacks were said to be in support of Gaza, and due to the disruption of trade via the Suez Canal, oil, gas, and goods shipping routes had to be altered.
Who Are the Houthis?
The Houthis are a Shia Zaidi Muslim rebel group active in Yemen. Officially known as Ansarullah, they have been building their strength since 2004. The group is believed to be supported by Iran, with its foundation said to have been laid with Iranian backing. Iran, being a Shia-majority country, has reportedly been supplying the group with weapons, making them not only powerful but also increasingly capable of confronting any nation militarily.
They View Israel as an Enemy of Islam
Like Iran, the Houthis also consider Israel an enemy of Islam. During the Gaza war, they frequently voiced support for Hamas. In 2023–24, during Israel’s offensive against Hamas, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on Israel from Yemen. While Israel has not yet responded with direct military action, it has been seeking assistance from its allies to boost maritime security.
Why This Could Backfire on Israel: 3 Key Points
1. Iran’s Proxy War Weapon
The Houthis are considered a major tool in Iran’s proxy war strategy. In March this year, when the US carried out strikes on the Houthis in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, retaliation followed. Then-US President Donald Trump acknowledged that the Houthis were being empowered by Iran. His statement sparked debate on how closely the Houthis follow Iran’s directives. While some see them purely as an Iranian proxy, a report by IISS suggests that although they receive significant support from Iran, the Houthis have also developed independent capabilities, particularly in weapons manufacturing. Their drone arsenal, once fully dependent on Iran, is now being built within Yemen.
2. Arsenal of Ballistic Missiles
The Houthis possess a large stockpile of ballistic missiles. From the beginning, the group has focused on missile development, receiving continuous technical support and training from Tehran. UN investigations into missile fragments recovered after Houthi attacks confirmed that their technology was sourced from Iran. Besides ballistic missiles, the group also has artillery rockets and both short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. The IISS report notes that while many components and tech still come from Iran, the Houthis have started manufacturing some of these weapons domestically. This includes close-range anti-ship missiles like the Falak Mayun and Al Bahr Al Ahmad.
Additionally, surface-to-air missiles like the RS-S-3 are of Soviet design, while the Zulfiqar missile closely resembles Iran’s Rezvan missile, which is extremely difficult to produce in Yemen — suggesting it's still being imported from Iran. However, experts also say domestic production may be possible. The report further mentions that the Houthis have begun developing small turbojet engines and anti-ship variants inside Yemen.
3. Drone Manufacturing
Though the Houthis still rely on Iran for missile technology and key components, they now manufacture drones — crucial in warfare — entirely within Yemen. One such drone, the Samad-3 (KAS-04), a long-range one-way attack UAV from Iran’s UAV portfolio, has been widely used against Israel and in the Red Sea. Analysis of debris from these drones confirmed they were produced inside Yemen.
However, for GPS systems, control modules, and other advanced parts, the Houthis still rely on imports — largely from Iran. They also have the capability to purchase these components as needed. The Samad-3 uses a DLE-170 engine made in China, which first reaches Iran and is then transferred to the Houthis. In addition, they also use the Shahed-131, Shahed-136, and long-range Yaffa drones — all fully manufactured in Iran.
