Houthis Undeterred in Red Sea Drone Attacks – The History of this Iranian-Backed Terror Group & Its Role in the Proxy War on Israel

Houthis Undeterred in Red Sea Drone Attacks – The History of this Iranian-Backed Terror Group & Its Role in the Proxy War on Israel

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a concerning development, British and American warships have engaged Houthi-launched drones in the Red Sea for the third consecutive day, underscoring the escalating threat to maritime security, as was reported by the United States Naval Institute website. The USS Carney (DDG-64) and HMS Diamond (D34) successfully intercepted several drones, highlighting the critical role of naval forces in safeguarding international commerce in the strategically vital region, according to the USNI News.

The U.S. is considering an attack on the Houthis after the spike in attacks meant to impose a “naval blockade” on Israel

‘We need to pair the defense, which is plentiful in the region, with deterrence, which is not,’ @UANI‘s @JasonMBrodsky tells @laura_i24 pic.twitter.com/bxIg3vs1Sz

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 17, 2023

The USS Carney, a guided-missile destroyer, played a pivotal role in countering the Houthi threat. According to the U.S. Central Command’s announcement on Saturday, the Carney shot down an impressive total of 14 drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. USNI.com also reported that the nature of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) suggests a one-way attack mechanism, leaving it uncertain whether they were targeting commercial ships. The statement, shared on the social media site X, did not disclose the weapons system used by the Carney during this operation.

#Beijing is behind the attacks on shipping, funding the #Houthis through #Iran. The #Chinese are making the case that #America is no longer able to protect the waterways but #China can do so. This is #XiJinping’s play for the entire #MiddleEast, and he’s succeeding.

— Gordon G. Chang (@GordonGChang) December 16, 2023

This incident marks a continuation of previous engagements, as the USS Carney had intercepted Houthi drones and land-attack missiles bound for Israel in October.

Simultaneously, HMS Diamond, a United Kingdom warship, also engaged a drone launched from Houthi-controlled areas. Utilizing a Sea Viper missile, the ship successfully neutralized the threat posed to merchant shipping. USNI.com also reported that British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, in a statement posted on X, emphasized the direct threat to international commerce and maritime security in the Red Sea. The UK remains resolute in repelling such attacks to ensure the free flow of global trade.

Caught up with Nikki Haley at her New Hampshire town hall to ask about how she would handle the Houthis repeatedly attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea

Haley tells me “the Houthis are doing this because Iran is telling them to … we’ve got to nip this in the bud” pic.twitter.com/qLwdnxGGCo

— Timcast News (@TimcastNews) December 13, 2023

In a particularly alarming development, Houthi military forces launched a drone barrage towards the Israeli resort city of Eilat, USNI.com reported. While the USS Carney’s involvement in intercepting these drones remains unconfirmed, it highlights the gravity of the situation. Notably, this is not the first time Houthi-controlled drones have targeted Israel, as the USS Carney had previously intercepted similar threats in October.

The relentless attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea have prompted shipping companies to take precautionary measures. In response to the escalating threat, companies such as MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and Maersk have temporarily halted shipping in the region, as was indicated in the USNI.com report. MSC, which experienced two attacks on its ships, announced a redirection of its vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, while Maersk cited concerns over the safety of its vessels in the Red Sea.

The Houthi military, on the other hand, remains undeterred, expressing their intent to continue operations in the Red Sea. In a statement on Telegram, Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam revealed that mediated talks through Oman were ongoing. The USNI report also said that the Houthi stance asserts that Yemen’s solidarity with Gaza is non-negotiable, and ships associated with Israel or heading to its ports will remain vulnerable until certain conditions, including an end to aggression and the lifting of the Gaza siege, are met.

Removing the Houthis from the Terrorist List

In February 2021, the Biden Administration removed the Houthis from the U.S. list of officially designated terrorists. The administration hoped this signal would encourage the Houthis to reduce hostilities, enter into talks, and improve the conditions for the Yemeni people. Instead, the Houthis have intensified their attacks inside and outside of Yemen, shunned all diplomatic e orts by UN and U.S. mediators, and deepened the humanitarian crisis by diverting and stealing humanitarian aid. In response to the latest attacks against civilians and UAE and U.S interests, President Biden said at his January 19, 2022 press conference that the U.S. is considering restoring its designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group.

On three separate occasions in January 2022, Houthi terrorists unleashed a barrage of more than a dozen ballistic and cruise missiles plus weaponized drones against civilian sites across the UAE. UAE and U.S. air defenses prevented mass casualties, though the strikes still killed three individuals and injured six. One of the targets was Abu Dhabi’s airport, a transit point for more than 32,000 international travelers every day. Another target was a close-by U.S. military facility at Al Dhafra Air Base. The latest attack occurred during the ­first ever visit by President Isaac Herzog of Israel to the UAE.

The Houthi terror wave was aimed at the UAE, but it also targeted the U.S. and global community. The UAE is home to more than 8 million foreign residents from nearly every country on earth, including 65,000 Americans.

International condemnation of the Houthi attack was swift and uni­ted. The UN Security Council, the Biden Administration, and over 120 countries and international organizations categorically condemned this unconscionable act of transnational terrorism.

A History of the Houthis in Yemen

The Houthi movement, rooted in the Zaydi form of Shiism, has been a prominent player in Yemen’s complex political landscape for over a decade. Originating from the northwestern Saada province, the Houthis have not only sought to revive Zaydi traditions but have also become embroiled in broader geopolitical conflicts, particularly with the Yemeni government.

The Houthi clan’s affiliation with the Zaydi form of Shiism is crucial to understanding their ideological foundations. Zaydism, practiced by about 35 percent of Yemen’s population, traces its roots to a millennium-long Zaydi imamate that ruled Yemen until its overthrow in 1962. Since then, the Zaydis have grappled with a loss of political power, fueling a persistent struggle to regain influence in Yemen.

In the 1980s, the Houthi clan initiated a movement aimed at reviving Zaydi traditions, responding to perceived threats from state-funded Salafist preachers who established a base in Houthi areas. It’s important to note that not all Zaydis align with the Houthi movement, highlighting the diversity within the Zaydi community.

Houthi insurgents have been engaged in clashes with Yemen’s government for over a decade. What began as a movement rooted in Zaydism has evolved into a broader insurgency, challenging the central government’s authority. Since 2011, the Houthi movement has expanded beyond its Zaydi origins, adopting the name Ansarullah, or “Party of God.”

Zaydis, often referred to as “Fivers,” follow a distinct branch of Shiism. Unlike the majority of Shiites who adhere to Twelver Shiism, Zaydis believe that Zayd, the great-grandson of Ali, was the rightful fifth imam. This contrasts with Twelver Shiites, who recognize Zayd’s brother, Mohammad al Baqir, as the fifth imam. Zaydis reject the notion of the imam’s infallibility and maintain that anyone related to Ali is eligible to lead the Muslim community.

Rooted in northern Yemen, the Houthi movement emerged in the 1990s as a reaction to the increasing financial and religious influence of Saudi Arabia. The movement gained international attention when, in November 2009, Houthi rebels crossed into Saudi Arabia during their rebellion against Yemen’s central government. This marked the first deployment of the Saudi army abroad without a direct ally, resulting in air strikes, ground skirmishes, and the loss of over 130 Saudi lives.

The Houthi movement’s geopolitical dimension is underscored by Iran’s substantial backing. Iran, a chief financial supporter, has been accused by Yemeni officials and Sunni states of providing arms, training, and financial support to the Houthis. While Iranian and Hezbollah officials deny or downplay these claims, the United States, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia, has presented evidence of Iranian arms transfers to the Houthi insurgents.

The conflict escalated in March 2015 when a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Despite U.N. efforts to broker peace talks, the war between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognized government persisted, leading to a protracted and devastating humanitarian crisis.

Tensions reached a critical point on November 4, 2017, when a ballistic missile targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The Houthis claimed responsibility, marking the first time a ballistic missile had come so close to the Saudi capital. Saudi Arabia, supported by the U.S., accused Iran of orchestrating the attack through its proxy, Hezbollah. The ensuing war of words between nations escalated tensions, leading to a near-total blockade on Yemen by Saudi Arabia.

The situation took a darker turn on December 4, 2017, with the assassination of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Having aligned with the Houthis in 2015, Saleh’s relationship with the group became strained, culminating in his public split from the Houthis in December. His call for a new relationship with the Saudi-led coalition ended tragically when he was killed by Houthi rebels in a roadside ambush. Iranian officials celebrated Saleh’s death, viewing it as a victory against Gulf influence in Yemen.

Throughout 2018, Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia became more frequent and targeted. The group’s audacity was highlighted by the damaging of a Saudi oil tanker in July 2018. The United Nations declared the situation the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis,” with over 80 percent of Yemen’s population requiring humanitarian aid and protection.

The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East experienced a seismic shift on September 14, 2019, when the Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for drone attacks that targeted two key oil installations in Saudi Arabia. Despite the Houthi assertion, U.S. intelligence presented to the U.N. Security Council contradicted these claims, indicating that the attack originated from within Iran rather than Yemen. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the “unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply,” squarely blaming Iran for the incident. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, however, dismissed these accusations in a tweet, fueling a war of words between the United States and Iran.

In early 2022, the Houthi rebels escalated the conflict by extending their reach beyond Yemen’s borders, targeting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a combination of drones and ballistic missiles. The repercussions of this development were immediate and severe. On January 24, Houthi forces launched two ballistic missiles toward Abu Dhabi, prompting a swift response from Emirati and U.S. military forces. The 2,000 U.S. troops stationed at the Al Dahfra Air Base took shelter in bunkers, responding to the threat with the deployment of Patriot missiles.

The targeting of the UAE marked a significant escalation in the conflict, underscoring the Houthi rebels’ ability to project power beyond Yemen’s borders. The incident not only strained relations between the Houthis and the UAE but also drew the United States further into the complex web of regional tensions. The swift interception of the ballistic missiles and the U.S. response highlighted the strategic significance of the Gulf region and the potential consequences of the ongoing conflict.

In the aftermath of the attack on the UAE, a Houthi spokesperson issued a stern warning, declaring that the Emirates had “become an unsafe country.” This ominous statement raised concerns about the potential for further cross-border attacks and added a new layer of uncertainty to the already volatile region. The Houthi rebels’ ability to strike deep into Gulf territories underscored their growing military capabilities and the evolving nature of the conflict.