Tehran: Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched a missile at Israel, marking their first such attack in months, and signaling a new front in the ongoing Middle East conflict. This development comes after the Houthis had previously shown support for their allies amid a US-Israeli offensive, while abstaining from direct participation. However, on Saturday, they announced the firing of missiles and drones targeting Israeli military sites. Israel confirmed the detection of a missile launch from Yemen and reported efforts to intercept it.
According to France24.com, the Houthis' involvement in the conflict is considered "a serious and deeply concerning escalation" by Farea Al Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House. This move poses risks of widening an already unstable war, with significant implications for regional stability and global trade. Analysts had anticipated the Houthis' eventual entry into the conflict, given their control over significant parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, since 2014.
The rebels' decision to target Israel rather than American interests in the Gulf states sends a clear message about their priorities. Their focus remains on the Palestinian cause, as highlighted by the US-based risk consultancy Basha Report. The consultancy suggests that future Houthi actions might target regional maritime traffic to create pressure without provoking a direct US response.
The Houthis have the capability to disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical gateway to the Suez Canal, using drones and missiles. This strait is a vital shipping lane, connecting Europe and Asia, and its disruption could severely impact global oil flows. With Iran having effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, any threat to Bab el-Mandeb could further destabilize fragile global markets.
Saudi Arabia, which has been redirecting tankers to its Red Sea port of Yanbu, may reconsider its current stance of intercepting Iranian attacks without retaliating if its last secure oil outlet is threatened. Saudi security analyst Hesham Alghannam suggests that Riyadh might contemplate limited retaliation if the situation worsens.
The Houthis' statements have also hinted at potential strikes on neighboring states, suggesting a wider regional escalation. They are strategically positioned to target Saudi infrastructure and Western bases in the Gulf more effectively than Iran. A resurgence of conflict in Yemen would have catastrophic humanitarian consequences for its already vulnerable population.