Blog

Why Are the Houthis Attacking Israel and Global Trade?
In the past month, the Houthis in Yemen have stepped up their attacks on Israel, firing 10 ballistic missiles and at least 9 drones. Over the weekend, they launched a long-range ballistic missile at Jerusalem, setting off alarm sirens in the capital and surrounding areas. The missile was intercepted by a combination of Israeli Air Force systems and an American missile defense system battery THAAD, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, a first in the region.
The week before, the Houthis fired a missile at Tel Aviv that injured at least 30 people. Israel responded with a retaliation attack on the international airport in Sanaa and the city of Al Hodeidah. Since the Houthis began firing on Israeli targets, vessels, and territory in late 2023, they have been exchanging blows with the IDF. However, despite the destruction wrought in Gaza and Lebanon, the Houthis have yet to show signs of backing down.
Who Are the Houthis and Why Are They Attacking Israel?
The Houthis are a group of Shia-Zaidi Islamists who took control of Yemen in 2015. They are supported and funded by Iran, and designated as a terrorist group by the US and other countries.
Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Houthis were one of several armed groups and/or states which took advantage of Israel’s operation in Gaza to launch their own attack. Since the beginning of the war, Hezbollah in Lebanon has fired over 10,000 rockets at Israel, Iran launched two of the largest missile barrages ever at Israel in April and October 2024, while the Houthis in Yemen have launched over 200 rockets and 170 drones at Israel.
The Houthis have said that their attacks are “in solidarity with the Palestinians,” and will continue to launch missiles at Israel until it stops fighting in Gaza.
The Houthis Against The West
Israel is not the only Houthi target. The group’s official slogan is, “God is the greatest, death to America, death to Israel, a curse upon the Jews, victory to Israel.” In remaining loyal to its ideology, the Houthis have become a terror of the Red Sea, launching 130 missile and drone attacks against commercial vessels since the beginning of the Hamas-Israel War.
The attacks on commercial cargo vessels in the Red Sea have significantly disrupted global trade through the Suez Canal, a passage that accounts for 12% of world shipping traffic. The Houthis’ strategy of terror has resulted in significantly higher shipping costs and delivery times, affecting 65 countries and 29 major shipping and energy firms.
Is There a Resolution in Sight?
After more than a year of attacks from the Houthis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, “Just as we acted forcefully against the terrorist arm of Iran’s axis of evil, so we will act against the Houthis.” The US has also carried out strikes against the Houthis in the past few months, not just in defense of Israel but in response to the Red Sea attacks.
The Houthis, however, are not backing down, and have vowed to continue attacking Israel until it stops acting in Gaza. At this point, though, it is unclear how directly a resolution in Gaza will impact Houthi activity, as they are a terrorist group that has expressed a commitment to destroying both Israel and the United States.
Some analysts speculate that the international landscape may change drastically when Donald Trump assumes the presidency of the US on January 20.