The Huthis have transformed from a marginal movement into a world-renowned militant force
Although the majority of missiles launched against Israel in the past
year have failed to reach their targets or cause any significant damage
they remain significant as they force Israel to use its anti-missile
weaponry as well as causing alerts. On the anniversary of the Hamas
attack against Israel, Huthi supreme leader Abdul Malik al Huthi announced
that the movement had fired more than 1000 missiles and drones, as well
as targeted 193 ships on their way to the Suez Canal. The Red Sea
attacks have most seriously impacted Egypt which is highly dependent on
revenue from the Suez Canal, responsible for 40% of trade between Asia
and Europe. With most ships diverting to the long route around Africa
and the Cape of Good Hope, Suez canal revenue
has dropped by 25% in the past year from US$9.2 bn to US$7.2 bn.
Increased insurance prices and the longer shipping route have already
cost international shipping an additional US$2.1 bn.
Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have led to the sinking of two
ships, the capture of the Galaxy Leader last November [whose crew are
still held by the Huthis] and damage to many more. International
response to ensure free movement of shipping
include the Prosperity Guardian operation established last December by
the US with a number of international partners, none of them states
bordering the Red Sea, whose interventions have been less than
effective. In January the US and UK started Operation Poseidon Archer
which targets launching sites throughout Yemen, both on the coast and
inland. Additionally the EU has Operation Aspides whose main activity is
to escort ships in the Red Sea and does not engage in offensive
actions. Despite all these naval forces roaming around the Red Sea and
direct attacks on launching sites and US claims that Huthi capacities
have been degraded, it is clear that Huthi attacks are hardly affected. US frustration has been expressed by military officials on more than one occasion.
The main Huthi target in Israel has been the port of Eilat, first successfully hit in March when it was barely within range of Huthi missiles. The port declared bankruptcy and by 24 July had dismissed half its staff. In recent months, other attacks against Eilat and Haifa were jointly claimed
by the Huthis and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. Most significantly,
the more powerful missiles obtained with Iranian support have enabled
the Huthis to extend the range of their attacks, and the first deadly strike took place on 19 July when a missile hit Tel Aviv in the night, killing one and wounding 10 people. A second one landed in central Israel on 15 September.
Unsurprisingly Israel retaliated with excessive force, attacking the
ports of Hodeida and Ras Isa on 20 July and 29 September, causing 62
civilian casualties. The attacks seriously damaged oil storage tanks,
port facilities and power stations, all essential to civilian survival
and to the humanitarian efforts to help Yemenis avoid starvation.
Remember that 80% of humanitarian aid is unloaded in Hodeida. Repairs
were carried out promptly but the cost of the losses remains very high.
Unlike US/UK strikes, Israeli attacks make no attempt to avoid civilian
casualties: according to the detailed research carried out by the Yemen Data project,
there have been more than 25 civilian casualties per Israeli raid by
comparison with 0.32 for each Operation Poseidon Archer strike and 0.76
during the 7 years of Saudi strikes. Moreover, all Israeli air raids
have hit civilian targets. Yemenis now fear for their lives in the next
Israeli strike.
Despite this, Yemenis are deeply committed to supporting Palestine
and this has affected their view of Ansar Allah throughout the country.
While its oppressive rule is resented by millions who experience it
daily, Yemenis respect the organisation for being the most determined
actor opposing Israel, in a context where some Arab states even actively
support Israel by allowing goods to be unloaded in Dubai
and trucked across the peninsula to Israel. Although the Saudi regime
has recently strengthened its rhetoric about Palestine, it remains the
case, one year after the beginning of the Gaza genocide, now extended to
Lebanon, that Huthi actions stand out in effectiveness and
international impact. Peace in Yemen remains elusive as negotiations for
a deal are on hold and will be difficult to resume while the Gaza war
continues.
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