Houthis
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Zaydi Shia Islamist movement and Iranian proxy in Yemen. As a key component of the 'Axis of Resistance,' they utilize ballistic missiles and drones to target international shipping and regional adversaries. In September 2026, the group achieved a major strategic breakthrough by capturing the western coast of Yemen and advancing toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Houthi movement emerged from northern Yemen in the 1990s and seized the capital, Sana'a, in 2014, sparking a protracted civil war. While their origins are rooted in local religious and political grievances, the movement has evolved into a primary strategic proxy for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This partnership provides the Houthis with advanced military technology, including long-range ballistic missiles and loitering munitions, which they deploy against regional adversaries to serve the broader Iranian objective of encircling Israel with a 'ring of fire.' For Israel, the Houthi threat represents a significant expansion of the southern front, with the group repeatedly attempting to strike targets in Eilat and central Israel while disrupting global trade in the Red Sea.
In September 2026, the Houthis significantly escalated their regional aggression, effectively dismantling the defensive lines of the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). Following a rapid offensive along the Red Sea coast, Houthi forces captured the strategic port city of Mocha and the Al-Omari military base. By late September 10, 2026, the group, in coordination with the IRGC, had seized the city of Az-Zubab and the Hanish Islands, placing them in a dominant position overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Reports indicate that senior IRGC commanders have arrived in Yemen to direct these advances and coordinate strikes against Saudi infrastructure.
In response to this collapse of the western coast, the United States has expanded its intelligence and targeting support for Saudi Arabia, establishing a joint command with over 200 personnel. Simultaneously, the Saudi-backed Yemeni Armed Forces have lifted restrictions on the use of weapons in designated 'kill boxes' to eliminate Houthi movements. The escalation has triggered global economic concerns, with Brent crude prices surging above $105 per barrel due to the threat of a maritime blockade.