Yemen's Houthi Army: A Growing Threat to Israel, US, and Global Shipping
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi army, with its sophisticated arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones, has emerged as a major threat to Israeli and American interests. The Houthi militia, supported by Tehran, has demonstrated long-range capabilities by launching attack drones and cruise missiles towards Israel, intercepted by the USS Carney. The Houthi's geographical position in Yemen, astride the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and in range of the Persian Gulf, poses a threat to global commerce and energy shipments. They have previously targeted major commercial targets, including oil refineries and commercial ships. The Houthi's military capabilities have been significantly enhanced by Iran, making them a unique proxy force with both land-attack cruise missiles and medium-range ballistic missiles. The Biden administration is uncertain about the Houthis' willingness to escalate military operations against the US and Israel, given ongoing peace talks in Yemen.