The Houthis are Yemen’s armed forces and a designated terror group and as of recent have been heavily involved in the conflict in the Middle East by targeting Israel-linked vessels. This is in retaliation to the acts of Israel which have killed over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza alone amongst other horrific acts such as wrongful imprisonment and torture of Palestinians. The Houthis are also an Iran-sponsored proxy.
Whilst on paper the numbers of Houthis are inferior to the US-backed Israeli military, their attacks have been calculated and for the most part successful. This can be put down to the nature of the attacks, the Houthis are counter-blockading the blockader Aden and southern Red Sea.
Whilst Israel’s focus remains primarily on their Gaza initiative and secondarily on Lebanon, Iran, Syria and of course Yemen they have allowed their allies to deal with the blockade of the Red Sea and the gulf as it jeopardises the Bab al Mandab strait which is essential for the trade of goods and energy. Due to this situation affecting more than just Israel the combined efforts of Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands have backed the front runners of this operation the US and the UK, with attacks having begun on January 12th. Yet these seem to be ineffective.
- On June 7th there was a series of air strikes conducted on Yemen’s Hodeidah airport, Salif seaport and the Al-Thawra region all orchestrated by the joint US and UK attack.
- The Houthis attacked a Greek Oil Tanker earlier this week , the Sounion which is currently on fire and according to the Pentagon leaking oil. An oil spill will be catastrophic to both the sea and the Houthis diminishing image in the Arab world. This attack highlights the stance the Houthis are taking, not even bothering to check or keep cargo.
The Houthis “revolutionary” actions seem to be spiralling to the extent where their puppet master Iran can no longer keep its leash tight. The Houthis action signals Iran circle of terror around Israel is not as closeknit as previously thought. Iran itself seems to be struggling from within, a new government, corrupt officers in the IRCG and a battered international reputation