The Houthis of Yemen, and how they figure in Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ against Israel

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

Israel bombed several places in Yemen recently, including the airport in capital Sana’a, some Red Sea ports, and power stations.
This move marks the expansion of Israel’s operations targeting the Houthi militant group, Ansar Allah, as part of its broader campaign against Iran and the “axis of resistance.”

The Houthis’ role in the Yemeni Civil War:

Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, is a Zaydi Shia Islamist political and militant group that launched its insurgency against the Yemeni government in the early 2000s.
Over time, it expanded its influence and captured significant territory, including the capital city, Sanaa, in 2014.
Since then, Ansar Allah has functioned as a de facto government for much of Yemen, successfully maintaining control over large areas of the country.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government, which has been in exile in the southern port city of Aden, has been backed by a coalition of Saudi Arabia, UAE Emirates (UAE), and other regional powers, while the Houthis are supported by Iran and Russia.

Shift in Houthi Strategy:

Initially focused on the internal Yemeni conflict, the Houthis expanded their attacks following the October 7 Hamas attacks, framing their cause as part of the broader resistance against Israel and the U.S.
This led to increased maritime and missile strikes and Houthis have succeeded in forcing commercial shipping between Asia and Europe to either go around the Cape of Good Hope or, if passing through Bab-el-Mandeb strait, the narrow entrance to the Red Sea between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, to make peace with very high insurance premiums.

International efforts:

In January 2024, the US, UK, and their allies launched Operation Poseidon Archer, a sustained bombing campaign to degrade Houthi military capabilities in Yemen.
The campaign supplements Operation Prosperity Guardian, a maritime security operation begun in December 2023 to protect shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by the militants.

Houthi Relations with the Axis of Resistance:

The Houthis are a central part of the axis of resistance, a coalition of Iranian-backed groups, which includes Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq.
Iran has continued to supply the Houthis with weapons and military aid, enabling them to maintain a strong presence in the region.
Their alliance with Iranian-backed militias, like the PMF, has given them a broader strategic role as the leading Iranian proxy in the region positions them as a key player in the ongoing confrontation with Israel, particularly as Hezbollah and Hamas have seen their capabilities diminished.