Once Seen as a Lesser Threat, Emboldened Houthis Vow To Resume Strikes on Israel
Yemen’s Houthis have grown into a formidable military force with significant regional alliances and increased military capabilities
Among Israel’s Iran-backed enemies—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, various militias in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthis in Yemen—the Houthis have long been considered among the weaker groups. But changing dynamics on Israel’s borders and throughout the Middle East have shifted the Houthis’ position, transforming the group from a localized insurgent organization into a formidable military force. Estimates indicate the Houthis’ fighter count has risen to approximately 350,000 in 2025, up from 220,000 in 2022 and just 30,000 in 2015.
That’s concerning for Israel, especially as tensions heat up again following the expiration of the ceasefire with Hamas. On Monday, the Houthis released a statement saying they were ready to resume operations against Israel.
Shafaq News quoted Nasr al-Din Amer, deputy head of the Houthis’ Media Authority, as saying, “It’s too early to specify the scale of escalation, but at a minimum, Jaffa will be under fire.”
“The Yemeni perception of Israel has grown more hostile and resentful after the destruction Gaza has suffered,” Yemeni journalist Yasser Algabry told The Media Line. “The Houthis are exploiting this sentiment to expand their military influence, as this issue is rooted in religious and ideological dimensions within the broader Arab-Israeli conflict.”
The Houthis’ enhanced military capabilities are tied to deepening alliances with regional actors like Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. The group is a financial beneficiary of Iran, and in 2022, the Houthis unveiled the Tankil anti-ship ballistic missile, with a range approaching 500 kilometers, closely resembling Iran’s Raad-500 missile.
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In 2014, the Houthis led a rebellion against the Yemeni government and thrust the country into a civil war that is still ongoing. Ten years later, the Houthis currently control the capital city of Sanaa and nearly all of northern Yemen.
Muneer Bin Wabar, a Yemeni expert in international relations, noted that the group “inherited an entire state’s military equipment and resources.” He told The Media Line that the Houthis are currently more powerful than Hezbollah, the group once seen as Israel’s most formidable foe.
Financially, the Houthis sustain their operations through a complex network involving taxation, international financial channels, and illicit trade. A Middle East Institute report suggests they generate approximately $2 billion annually, primarily from taxes, customs duties, levies, and free Iranian oil. The group is also believed to earn about $180 million per month from illegal safe-transit fees imposed on shipowners.
These substantial revenues enable the Houthis to maintain and expand their military activities beyond Yemen’s borders. The recent ceasefire in Gaza temporarily halted Houthi attacks, but prior to that, the Houthis launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel since October 7, 2023.
Domestically, the Houthis’ control has led to increased militarization of civilian life in Yemen. They have mobilized civilians, including university students and government employees, for military training.
“They are not using civilians as shields there, but they are training them as a reserve army to confront any upcoming potential threats after they saw what occurred both in southern Lebanon and Gaza,” Algabry said.
The humanitarian situation under Houthi rule remains dire. The ongoing conflict has resulted in widespread poverty, food shortages, and a collapsing health care system. Political fragmentation within the internationally recognized Yemeni government further hampers efforts to address these crises effectively.
“We are caught between airstrikes and ground battles,” a Yemeni civilian, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Media Line. “Our children are starving, and there’s no safe place to go. We are not involved in what the Houthis are doing. We are the victims.”
The Houthis’ escalating influence poses a substantial challenge to both Yemeni stability and broader regional security. Without proactive international intervention, their continued militarization and regional ambitions are likely to exacerbate the crisis in Yemen and contribute to ongoing instability throughout the Middle East.
Bin Wabar said that greater diplomatic efforts are needed to bring an end to the crisis. “Diplomatic engagement must go beyond mere statements of concern,” he said. “The international community must play an active role in facilitating real dialogue among Yemenis, ensuring that any peace efforts address the political, economic, and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis.”
