The Houthis, once considered a minor threat among Iran-backed groups in the Middle East, have significantly expanded their military capabilities and influence, posing a growing challenge to Israel and regional stability. As Giorgia Valente reports [1] for The Media Line, the group has grown from a localized insurgency into a well-equipped force with an estimated 350,000 fighters, a significant increase from previous years.
Following the expiration of the ceasefire with Hamas, the Houthis have vowed to resume attacks on Israel. A senior Houthi official stated that “Jaffa will be under fire,” reflecting the group’s increasing aggression. Analysts suggest that the Houthis are capitalizing on growing hostility toward Israel in Yemen and the wider region, using the situation to expand their power.
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The Houthis’ military strength is closely tied to their alliances with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. They have received financial and logistical support from Iran and have developed advanced weaponry, including ballistic missiles modeled after Iranian designs. Experts argue that the Houthis may now be even more powerful than Hezbollah, traditionally seen as Israel’s greatest non-state adversary.
Domestically, the Houthis maintain control over northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, where they have militarized civilian life and imposed strict governance. Meanwhile, civilians face severe humanitarian conditions, with widespread poverty and food shortages exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.
As Valente explains, international efforts to mediate Yemen’s crisis have been largely ineffective. Without stronger diplomatic engagement, the Houthis’ expanding influence threatens to destabilize the region further. Read the full article [1] on The Media Line to understand the growing role of the Houthis in the Middle East.