HOUTHIS, ISRAEL, YEMEN

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Context:

The recent missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Israel has raised serious concerns about how this group obtained superior missile technology and capabilities.  

 Details

• During the Cold War, Yemen was divided into North and South, and rival superpowers supplied military support. In the 1970s, the northern region acquired Scud missiles from the Soviet Union, creating the groundwork for missile capability.
• The 1994 Yemen civil war and following wars provided access to a variety of ballistic and surface-to-air missiles. These included weaponry from North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the United States that had provided aid to the Yemeni military.
• The Houthis routinely raided Yemeni government armouries, significantly increasing their arsenal with both operational and abandoned missile systems.
• The Saudi-led coalition, which aims to restore the Yemeni government has accidentally supplied the Houthis with weapons through a series of accidents during operations. Airdrops gone wrong have resulted in the capture of advanced military equipment.

Role of Iran

• Since the Yemeni civil war began in 2015, Iran has provided significant assistance to the Houthis, including missile components and technical training for assembly and deployment.
• Iran has established covert channels for smuggling missile components into Yemen, including overland routes through Oman and naval supplies across the Arabian Sea. These components are frequently assembled within Houthi-controlled areas.
• The Houthis are part of Iran's larger strategy of developing a network of proxy troops throughout the region, much like Hezbollah in Lebanon. This network enables Iran to extend its influence and destabilise rivals while avoiding direct military participation.
• By supporting the Houthis, Iran strengthens its strategic position in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for world trade and oil delivery. This control might disrupt maritime activities, endangering US and Saudi interests in the region.

About Houthi

• The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), are an armed political and religious organisation based in Yemen. They represent the Zaidi Shia Muslim minority, a branch of Shia Islam that differs from Iran's Twelver Shia majority.
• The Houthi movement, led by Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, originated in the 1990s. Initially, it was a revivalist movement among the Zaidi population of northern Yemen, emphasising religious and cultural identity.
• The group began as an opposition movement against Yemen's then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh. It accused him of corruption and received support from Saudi Arabia and the US. In the early 2000s, the Houthis fought many rebellions against Saleh's regime.
• The Houthis currently control a significant portion of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, as well as areas in the country's west and north. They have established a parallel administration and are fighting against the internationally recognised Yemeni government based in Aden.
• Iran supports the Houthis with military and financial aid. This has resulted in their membership in Iran's "axis of resistance" against Israel, the United States, and its supporters.

About Yemen	●Yemen is situated in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia to the north, Oman to the northeast, the Red Sea to the west, and the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea to the south. It is the second-largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. ●Yemen's economy is among the lowest in the Arab world. Agriculture, remittances, and international aid are its main sources of income. ●The continuous violence has negatively harmed the economy, resulting in widespread poverty and unemployment.
About  Iran	●Iran is located in Western Asia. It borders Turkey and Iraq to the west, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the northwest, Turkmenistan to the northeast, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the South. ●Iran's economy is diverse but heavily reliant on oil and gas exports.
About Israel	●Israel border Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. ●The population is heterogeneous, with Jews accounting for over 74%, Arabs for approximately 21%, and other minorities such as Druze and Bedouins. Hebrew is the official language, and Arabic has a special status.

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Source:

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Wikipedia

Britannica

BBC

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements in the context of the Bab-el-Mandeb: 1. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. 2. It is close to the Horn of Africa. 3. It is bordered by Yemen, Djibouti, and Eritrea. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: C Explanation: Statement 1 is correct:  The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean, making it an important marine choke point for global trade. Statement 2 is correct: The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is near the Horn of Africa. It is situated between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African side. Statement 3 is correct: The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is between Yemen to the north and Djibouti and Eritrea to the south.