How the Houthis have become the most fearsome of Iran’s allies

Since 2014, the Houthis, Iran-backed rebels, have controlled much of northern Yemen, including Sana'a, the capital, and the western coast. Throughout 2023 and beyond, they have launched drone and missile attacks against Yemen's government and Saudi Arabia, accusing them of planning a major offensive. The Yemeni army has retaliated harshly, killing many soldiers and civilians.

The Houthis aim to blackmail the kingdom into paying civil servants and lifting travel and shipping restrictions, as well as to seize the initiative and strengthen their control of shipping through the Red Sea. The attacks on Saudi-linked ships, ports, airports, and refineries have disrupted traffic, with hardly any Saudi tankers sailing through the Bab al Mandab strait in July.

Their ultimate goal includes gaining control of Yemen's oilfields and forcing the government to share revenues. The Houthis' audacity and adaptability, coupled with their resilient supply networks, make them a formidable foe for the government. Despite setbacks, such as Israeli strikes in 2024, the rebels have recovered and continue to pose a significant threat.