Following Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the war under a ceasefire agreement, the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, and Iraqi militias’ decision to cease attacks against Israel, attention has shifted to the Houthis, who remain the only external force actively opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
While the United States (U.S.) and Israel prepared to launch a comprehensive operation against the Houthis, the Arab coalition, supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, mobilized their forces. In northern Yemen, Saudi Arabia intensified artillery strikes against Houthi targets, including the city of Saada. Concurrently, forces loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), directly affiliated with the UAE, launched attacks on Houthi forces in the Taiz region.
Just hours before these assaults, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for a forceful operation against the Houthis. Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Forces Command (CENTCOM) revealed via its X account (formerly Twitter) that preparations were underway for attacks against the Houthis using the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier.
Since 31 October 2023, the Houthis have conducted direct attacks targeting Israel in response to the nation’s actions in Gaza. In addition to these strikes, they have seized commercial ships off Yemen’s coast—allegedly linked to Israeli companies—and attacked several vessels using drones and missiles.
As a result of these actions, many shipping companies have suspended operations in the Red Sea. On 18 December 2023, the United States announced the formation of a multinational maritime task force called Operation Welfare Guardian. This coalition, involving multiple nations, aims to secure global maritime trade endangered by Houthi activity. The U.S. and UK have also organized attacks on Houthi positions as part of this operation.
According to Haaretz, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated that Israel would deliver a “hard blow” to the Houthis. He emphasized plans to target Houthi strategic infrastructure and leadership, declaring, “We will do the same in Hodeidah and Sana’a as we did in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon against Heniyyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah.”
“We defeated Hamas, we defeated Hezbollah, we blinded Iran’s defense systems, and we disrupted their missile production capabilities,” Katz continued, adding that Israel would deal a severe blow to the Houthis. “Anyone who raises their hand against Israel will have their hand cut off. The long arm of the Israeli army will strike them, and they will face unprecedented retribution,” he threatened.
In a significant revelation, Katz also confirmed for the first time that Israel was behind the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Heniyyeh in Tehran. While Heniyyeh’s death had previously gone unclaimed, this acknowledgment marks a pivotal development.
