What Is the Truth Behind the Houthi Attacks?

The fire in the Middle East continues to spread to wider areas. Most recently, Houthi rebels operating in Yemen have increased their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. 12punto writer Reyhan Küçük translated the report on the subject written by ARD Cairo correspondent Anne Allmeling for the German news agency Tagesschau for 12punto readers. Here is that report:

Following Hamas's attacks on Israel, the Houthi rebels in Yemen have also increased their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. What are the truths behind these Iranian-backed rebels?

The attacks by Shiite militias on US forces in Iraq, Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon on targets in Israel, and the actions of Yemeni Houthi rebels against commercial ships in the Red Sea seem to be further expanding the conflict in the region, which began with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7.

The real question is, do these attacks increase the risk of a major conflict in the Middle East?

IRAN'S SUPPORT FOR THE HOUTHIS

Once seen merely as an armed group pursuing its own interests, the Houthis began receiving increasing levels of support from Iran, especially after they seized the capital, Sana'a, from the mountainous regions of northern Yemen in 2014 and took control of a large part of the country.

With Iran's financial and military support, the Houthis are not only fighting for dominance in Yemen but are also repelling the Saudi-led military coalition. This coalition had aimed to bring the exiled Yemeni government back to power.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had planned to defeat the Houthis in a short time with the airstrikes he launched in 2015. However, the Crown Prince must not have factored the Houthis into his calculations, as the Houthis disrupted Mohammed bin Salman's plans with their guerrilla tactics and mastery of Yemen's rugged terrain.

PROXY WAR IN YEMEN

The war that has been going on for years in Yemen resulted in a fragile ceasefire in recent months. This was made possible by Saudi Arabia and Iran moving closer to each other through Chinese mediation. Both sides seem to have realized that they can no longer defeat the other.

This conflict is often referred to as a proxy war because the Yemeni government is supported by Saudi Arabia, while the Houthi rebels are supported by Iran. These two regional powers are in a struggle for dominance in the Middle East.

While Saudi Arabia fights with modern weapons and the support of other countries, Iran has armed groups in other countries fight for its own interests and provides them with weapons. This is true for Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and now the Houthis in Yemen.

THE HOUTHIS' PRESSURE ON ISRAEL

This situation pushes the Houthis to act not only for their own goals but also in line with Iran's interests. "The Houthis' attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea serve a specific purpose," says Egyptian political scientist Mohammed Ezz Al-Arab, a researcher at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo.

"With these attacks, the Houthis aim to put pressure on Israel and end the Gaza War. Because the Houthis belong to the 'Axis of Resistance,' which is supported by Iran and fights against Israel." Hamas also belongs to this axis and is armed by Iran.

As the Israeli army expanded its ground operation in the Gaza Strip, Iran's allies also increased their attacks. However, Iran has mostly remained in the background. Since the 1979 Revolution, the Islamic Republic has rarely been actively involved in war, and there is little sign that this will change.

If Iran were to start a war with its open enemy Israel, it would also have to fight the US. It is believed that powerful figures in Iran understand that such a war cannot be won. This may be a possible reason why Hezbollah has not entered the war against Israel so far, except for the deadly clashes on the Israel-Lebanon border.

GENERAL CONCERN

The Houthis' attacks on ships in the Red Sea worry many people in the Middle East and beyond. Political scientist Mohammed Ezz Al-Arab does not believe these threats are a sign that the Gaza War will turn into a regional conflict. "This is intended to send specific messages to the US, Israel, and some Arab countries," he says.

Furthermore, political scientist Mohammed Ezz Al-Arab states that the Houthis want to play a more important role in negotiations for a permanent solution to the Yemen War. Before the Gaza War spreads to the entire region, not only the Iranian-backed militias but especially the key players in Tehran emphasize the necessity of making their moves.

Report by Anne Allmeling dated December 05, 2023