What’s happening:
Ali Al Bukhaiti, a former spokesperson for the Yemen-based Houthi movement, stated in an interview that the Iran-backed group could launch future missile attacks on Tel Aviv and other global locations. The movement, previously known for targeting Red Sea shipping routes, has gained popularity in regions beyond the Middle East.
Why it matters:
The Houthi movement’s ability to disrupt key maritime trade routes in the Red Sea presents a significant threat to international commerce and security. Their expanded range and precision of missile capabilities could pose direct threats to major Israeli cities and escalate regional tensions.
The larger trend:
The Houthi attacks not only endanger shipping but have also widened their targeting to potentially strike Israeli territory. Beyond local support in Yemen, the movement’s actions resonate with audiences in other parts of the Arab and Islamic world, as well as some Western countries. This growing popularity underscores the broader geopolitical challenge the group poses.
Context:
Bukhaiti dismissed claims that the Houthis merely execute Iran’s bidding, underscoring the group’s autonomy and internal militant drive. Partially aligned with Iran due to common opposition to Israel, the Houthis maintain their own ideological and religious identity, which fuels their aggressive stance. The seriousness of this insurgent group was underestimated by Saudi Arabia and must not be repeated by Israel or the United States, says Bukhaiti.
What to watch:
With the United States setting up a naval task force to protect Red Sea shipping routes from Houthi threats, the potential for an escalated conflict involving the U.S. looms if American interests are directly targeted. The Houthis’ guerilla warfare tactics present a challenge to conventional military responses and raise concerns about possible collateral damage to Yemeni civilians.
The bottom line:
The threat posed by the Houthi movement extends beyond Yemen’s borders and has implications for global trade and regional stability. The acknowledgment of the group’s potential to strike Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv indicates a concerning evolution of their reach and intentions.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.