Yemen's Houthis Pose Enduring Threat to Israel Despite Losses

Despite recent territorial losses, Yemen's Houthi rebels retain significant capabilities that pose a persistent threat to Israel and the wider Middle East, according to Inbal Nissim Loveton, an expert on Yemen from Tel Aviv University's Dayan Center and the Open University. A recent Houthi rocket attack on Riyadh's airport underscored this danger, Loveton stated in a radio interview.

While Houthi adversaries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have regained some strategic territory, such as the port of Mukha and Mun Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Houthis still control large, populated areas of Yemen. This asymmetric advantage, combining military potential with control over over half the country's population, allows them to maintain influence and pose a long-term threat, Loveton explained.

The Houthis' ability to strike targets at significant distances and influence regional security remains a concern for Israel. Furthermore, the Houthis' control over vital port infrastructure, essential for millions of Yemeni civilians, complicates military operations. Their opponents must balance military effectiveness with the risk of causing severe humanitarian consequences by damaging these critical supply lines.

Loveton also highlighted the threat to international shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial global trade route. Disruptions there can impact economic interests far beyond Yemen, as previously experienced by Egypt due to effects on Suez Canal traffic. The expert emphasized that the security of these maritime routes requires international attention due to the far-reaching consequences of Houthi actions.