A recent report by U.N. experts has shed light on the significant transformation of Yemen's Houthi rebels from a local armed group to a formidable military organization with support from various entities, including Iran, Iraqi armed groups, and Lebanon's Hezbollah militants.
The report highlighted the Houthis' exploitation of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza to bolster their standing within Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' and gain regional popularity. This strategic move has seen the rebels engaging in disruptive activities, such as attacking vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, impacting global shipping routes in a crucial geopolitical area.
Despite claiming to target ships linked to Israel, investigations revealed that the Houthis have been indiscriminately attacking merchant vessels, commercial ships, and even U.S. and U.K. warships. Data analysis showed that at least 134 attacks were carried out between November 2023 and July 2024, using a previously undisclosed ballistic missile known as the Hatem-2.
The U.N. panel of experts, comprising individuals with expertise in arms, finance, regional affairs, international humanitarian law, and armed groups, uncovered the Houthis' coordination with extremist groups like al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and al-Shabab in Somalia. This collaboration has further escalated the conflict, turning it into a major international crisis.
The report also highlighted the exponential growth in the number of Houthi fighters, reaching an estimated 350,000 in 2024, a significant increase from previous years. This expansion in military capabilities was attributed to external support from entities like the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah, and Iraqi specialists, who provided advanced weaponry, training, and financial backing.
Moreover, the Houthis have been recruiting Yemeni youths, children, and Ethiopian migrants, exploiting their vulnerabilities and engaging them in combat activities against the government. The panel expressed concerns about the fragile internal military situation in Yemen, warning of potential resumptions of military confrontations due to various triggers.
Overall, the U.N. report paints a concerning picture of the Houthi rebels' evolution into a well-equipped military force with far-reaching operational capabilities, posing a significant threat to regional stability and international security.
