The Houthis, once seen as a regional rebel group with limited influence beyond Yemen’s borders, have undergone a dramatic transformation since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023. The conflict has propelled them from a localized insurgency to a force capable of challenging Israeli and Western interests on a broader scale, demonstrating newfound military capabilities and strategic ambitions. Their rise has not only reshaped regional dynamics but also drawn the focus of global powers seeking to contain their influence.
For nearly a decade, the Houthis fought against the Yemeni government and a Saudi-led coalition, engaging in a conflict that, while devastating, largely remained within Yemen’s borders. Occasional missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates showcased their military prowess but did little to establish them as a significant regional player. Domestically, the Houthis remained a deeply divisive force, seen by opponents as a theocratic and repressive movement attempting to dismantle Yemen’s republic, while their supporters framed their rise as a popular revolution against foreign interference. Their ability to exert influence outside Yemen remained constrained, and their international reputation was shaped primarily by their ties to Iran.
The past 16 months, however, have seen a dramatic shift in how the Houthis are perceived and how they operate. Their direct involvement in the Israel-Gaza conflict has elevated their standing in the eyes of many across the Middle East. By launching missiles and drones deep into Israel and carrying out attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, they have rebranded themselves as defenders of the Palestinian cause, aligning with broader regional sentiments that view Gaza’s suffering as an injustice. Their willingness to take direct action against Israeli and Western interests has earned them support in parts of the Arab world, even among those who previously opposed them. Public opinion in Yemen, which has long been staunchly pro-Palestinian, has made it difficult for the Houthis’ domestic rivals to criticize their actions, allowing the group to consolidate its political and ideological influence.
Beyond ideological considerations, the Houthis’ military strategy has had real-world consequences for the global economy. Their repeated attacks on shipping in the Red Sea—a vital artery of global trade—have forced major shipping companies to reroute vessels, increasing costs and disrupting supply chains. According to the nonprofit Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), the Houthis have carried out more than 200 attacks on commercial shipping since the conflict began. The impact on global trade has been significant, with cargo traffic through Egypt’s Suez Canal plummeting as companies seek alternative routes to avoid Houthi-controlled waters. Despite US-led airstrikes aimed at deterring their attacks, the Houthis have continued their operations, signaling their resilience and determination to maintain pressure on Western and Israeli-linked interests.
This new phase of Houthi aggression has positioned them as a serious challenge to global powers. The United States and the United Kingdom launched military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in January 2024 in response to the shipping attacks. Israel has also conducted its own operations, with Defense Minister Israel Katz vowing to “hunt down” Houthi leaders. The renewed focus on the group has led to the US government redesignating the Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization,” marking one of the first major foreign policy moves of President Donald Trump’s new administration. A White House statement outlined a strategy aimed at eliminating the Houthis’ operational capabilities, cutting off their financial resources, and working with regional partners to contain their influence. The decision reflects broader Western efforts to counter Iran’s network of allied groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, which have also been significantly affected by recent regional developments.
Analysts suggest that the Houthis’ increasing assertiveness is in part driven by the weakening of Iran’s traditional allies in the region. With Hezbollah facing Israeli airstrikes and Hamas struggling under military pressure in Gaza, the Houthis have emerged as a more active and unpredictable force within Iran’s regional strategy. While Tehran has long provided financial and military support to the group, the Houthis have demonstrated a degree of autonomy, making strategic decisions that align with their own objectives rather than strictly following Iran’s directives. This independence has made them a more formidable and unpredictable player in the ongoing geopolitical struggle.
The latest escalation has sparked fears that the Houthis could face a fate similar to that of other Iranian-aligned groups that have been targeted by Western and Israeli military campaigns. Some experts argue that the group’s leadership could be at risk of assassination, similar to key figures in Hezbollah who have been eliminated in recent years. Others suggest that a broader Western-backed offensive could be launched against the Houthis, potentially leading to their military weakening or even disintegration. However, history suggests that the Houthis are unlikely to be easily defeated. They have already endured years of sustained airstrikes from a Saudi-led coalition, surviving and even expanding their control over Yemen’s key territories. Their ability to persist in the face of powerful adversaries has solidified their belief in their own resilience and divine mission.
Despite the increasing military pressure from Western forces, the Houthis may find a strategic advantage in de-escalation if the war in Gaza comes to an end. Without the justification of supporting Palestine, their continued attacks on shipping lanes and Israeli targets could lose legitimacy, both regionally and internationally. A ceasefire in Gaza could provide the Houthis with an opportunity to declare victory, consolidating their position without further escalating conflicts that could bring heavier retaliatory strikes from the West. However, if the Gaza conflict reignites and the Houthis resume attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping, they could face an even more aggressive response from global powers. The risk of prolonged confrontation looms large, as the West appears increasingly determined to prevent the Houthis from becoming an enduring strategic threat.
While some have drawn parallels between the Houthis and other Iranian proxies that have faced military setbacks, key differences set them apart. Unlike Hezbollah or Hamas, the Houthis operate within a territory where they hold firm control, commanding vast arsenals and thousands of loyal fighters. The weakness of their domestic opponents has allowed them to maintain dominance over northern Yemen, providing them with a secure base of operations. Even if an internationally backed military campaign were to be launched against them, their rapid collapse is far from guaranteed. Their resilience, combined with their ability to adapt to changing geopolitical conditions, makes them one of the most complex and unpredictable players in the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of the Houthis. As the war in Gaza continues to shape regional politics, their actions—and the responses they provoke—will have significant implications for the balance of power in the Middle East. With global attention now focused on their military capabilities and strategic ambitions, the Houthis find themselves at a pivotal moment in their evolution. Whether they can sustain their newfound influence or become the next target of a sustained Western military campaign remains an open question, but one thing is clear: their role in regional and global affairs can no longer be ignored.
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