Yemen's Houthis Pose Growing Threat to Israel, Regional Stability

The Houthi movement in Yemen has significantly strengthened its military capabilities and territorial control near the Red Sea, posing an escalating threat to Israel and regional maritime security. Despite extensive strikes by the U.S. and Israel, the Houthis retain substantial missile and drone arsenals. Their recent offensive in Yemen has allowed them to seize key locations, including Mocha port and Mayyun Island, near the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait, disrupting shipping routes.

Ynet military analyst Ron Ben-Yishai assesses that airstrikes alone are insufficient to neutralize the Houthi threat. He argues that a ground operation in Yemen, supported by air power, is necessary to significantly weaken the group. However, neither the U.S. nor regional powers have shown readiness for such an undertaking, given the complexity and past experiences. Previous large-scale U.S. strikes and Israeli attacks on Houthi infrastructure have failed to eliminate their long-range strike capabilities.

The Houthi advance has intensified concerns for Israel, potentially further complicating access to the port of Eilat. The group's cooperation with Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq also expands the potential threat vectors, allowing for attacks originating from multiple directions. Saudi Arabia faces renewed pressure, with Houthi attacks on its territory and the demonstrated weakness of Riyadh-backed Yemeni forces.

While the U.S. appears hesitant to re-engage in large-scale independent air campaigns, partly due to the cost-effectiveness of Houthi drone and missile systems compared to interceptors, Israel may assume a more prominent role. This assistance would likely focus on intelligence sharing, target identification, and sharing expertise in air defense and long-range operations, rather than providing advanced missile defense systems like Iron Dome, which Israel needs for its own security against Iran.

Ben-Yishai emphasizes that even with Israeli intelligence and technological aid, the core problem remains: the Houthis' territorial control, manpower, underground infrastructure, and access to weapon components allow for rapid reconstitution of forces. The critical need is for an effective ground force within Yemen to counter the Houthis. The article suggests that restoring unity among anti-Houthi factions in Yemen, including those supported by the UAE, is crucial, as their disunity has aided the Houthi expansion.

Ultimately, Ben-Yishai advocates for a broader international coalition, potentially including Egypt and European nations, to address the threat to global trade and energy supplies. Without such a coalition, the immediate threat to Israel persists, transforming the Yemen issue from a distant regional concern into a direct security front.