Yemen's Huthis a 'Menace' for Israel despite weakened Iran: Analysts

Yemen's Huthis remain a significant concern for Israel, even though Iran, their primary backer, has seen its regional influence wane due to Israel's intensive military campaigns. Analysts assert that the Huthis have become Israel's most pressing security issue despite Iran's diminished capacity to project power.

The Huthis, a Shiite Muslim rebel group controlling much of Yemen, including its capital Sanaa, continue to launch missile and drone attacks on Israel. These actions persist even though the Huthis' threat to Israel's military might is limited, highlighting their broader destabilizing impact, particularly on crucial Red Sea shipping lanes.

Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence for the Middle East-based consultancy Le Beck, explains that Israel faces significant challenges in combating the Huthis. The primary obstacles are the distance—nearly 2,000 kilometers—and a lack of detailed intelligence on the group. This distance hampers frequent strikes, complicating Israel's potential unilateral responses.

Despite heavy losses among Hamas and Hezbollah, and the fall of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, which weakened Iran's "axis of resistance," the Huthis have continued to pose a security threat to Israel. The group claims solidarity with Palestinians, vowing to persist in their attacks until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.

Horowitz suggests that Israel might adopt a strategy similar to its approach against Hezbollah, potentially targeting Huthi leaders for assassination and disrupting their supply routes. However, he cautions that such measures might not restore deterrence.

Recent Huthi attacks have disrupted civilian life in Israel despite causing minimal damage, thanks to Israel's advanced missile defense systems. The near-daily strikes have triggered frequent air raid sirens, forcing residents into bomb shelters. One missile wounded 16 people in Tel Aviv this month, leading to Israeli airstrikes on Huthi targets in Yemen, including Sanaa's international airport.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have vowed to eliminate the Huthi threat, with support from the United States, which has also conducted strikes to protect Red Sea shipping.

Yoel Guzansky, a senior fellow at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies, remains skeptical about Israel's ability to subdue the Huthis. He notes that the Arab Gulf states, also targets of Huthi attacks, are wary of escalation, which complicates Israel's response options.

Menahem Merhavy from Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Truman Institute emphasizes that while the Huthis pose a limited threat to Israel, they significantly disrupt global maritime commerce. This disruption could lead to a joint response, especially with the incoming US President Donald Trump, who previously facilitated normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states.

Merhavy believes that Iran's weakened state increases the likelihood of further Arab-Israeli recognition, potentially involving Saudi Arabia, especially if a ceasefire in Gaza is achieved. Nonetheless, Mark Dubowitz from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warns that Iran, although currently weakened, remains capable of regenerating its proxy networks and might escalate its nuclear program as a deterrent against Israel and the US.