Barran Press
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the Associated Press reported that the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, is attempting to leverage the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In a report seen by Barran Press, the agency noted that recent Houthi attacks have brought renewed attention to the group and raised questions about its objectives and strategies.
The report stated, "Since Israel intensified its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, including the strike that resulted in the death of the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have sought to position themselves as key players in the complex regional conflicts."
Analysts and observers suggest that the widening conflict could bolster the Houthis militarily and amplify their already significant role in the region, despite retaliatory strikes from Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Ahmed Nagy, a prominent Yemeni analyst with the Crisis Group, remarked that "the Houthis view the solidarity of Yemenis with Palestinians as a useful tool for recruiting new fighters and expanding their ranks."
In June, the Houthis unveiled a new solid-fuel missile resembling a previous Iranian missile, which Tehran described as capable of hypersonic speeds. The agency reported that the Houthis launched their new missile, named "Palestine," at the southern Israeli port city of Eilat, triggering alarms but causing no damage or injuries.
The international agency highlighted that the actions of the Houthis have surprised some observers, particularly given their limited resources and the costly nature of their civil war.
Regarding the Houthis' strategy toward Israel, Nagy characterized it as a "gradual escalation." With their increasing prominence, the group is likely to seek more advanced weaponry after relying for years on mobile launch platforms and hit-and-run tactics.
According to Fawzi Al-Ghweidi, a fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, "the Houthis may aim to partner with other militias to form a coalition that threatens regional security."
The Soufan Center, a research organization based in New York, reported in September that the Houthis have become "operationally more liberated" and are diversifying their alliances beyond Iran by cooperating with Russia, citing alleged plans for Russian arms shipments to the Houthis that may have failed.