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 By Giorgia Valente/The Media Line Among Israel’s Iran-backed enemies—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, various militias in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthis in […]
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The Media Line: Once Seen as a Lesser Threat, Emboldened Houthis Vow To Resume Strikes on Israel
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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
By Giorgia Valente/The Media Line
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.