The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are a Shia Islamist group in Yemen that have been involved in a conflict with the internationally recognized Yemeni government since the 1990s. However, they gained significant power after taking control of the capital, Sana'a, and other key cities in northern Yemen in 2014. They are backed by Iran and are part of the Iran-led "axis of resistance," which includes other Shia groups and militias in the region.
The Houthis' attacks on Red Sea ships are part of a broader conflict with Israel, the United States, and other regional powers. They have been actively supporting Hamas in the Gaza Strip and their attacks on Israeli ships are a part of this larger conflict. Additionally, the Houthi attacks are seen as part of the Iran-Israel proxy conflict, where Iran is backing the Houthis and Israel is backed by the United States and other countries.
The Houthis are also involved in the Yemeni civil war, where they are fighting against the Saudi-led coalition that is supporting the internationally recognized government of Yemen. The Houthi attacks on Red Sea ships are intended to disrupt global trade and cause economic harm to Israel and its allies. By attacking commercial vessels, they aim to limit Israel's access to rearmaments and impose economic costs on countries supporting Israel.
The Houthis employ advanced weapon systems, including anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs), anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIEDs). This strategy leverages asymmetric warfare to challenge regional and global stability, maximizing disruption while minimizing direct confrontation with superior naval forces.
In summary, the Houthis' attacks on Red Sea ships are motivated by a desire for domestic legitimacy, the disruption of global trade, and the pursuit of ideological and strategic goals. Their actions are driven by a complex interplay of domestic, regional, and global factors, including the need for domestic legitimacy, economic disruption, and the pursuit of ideological and strategic goals.
