The death of Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah, in an Israeli airstrike has created a new tension in West Asia. Nasrallah, 64, played a key role in transforming Hezbollah into a strong paramilitary and political force. Now the question is arising whether Israel’s next target will be Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are continuously carrying out missile attacks?
Air raid sirens started ringing across central Israel, including Tel Aviv International Airport, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from a trip to the US. The Israeli military said that a missile fired from Yemen was shot down shortly after the sirens were sounded. There is no news of any casualty in this. It was not immediately known whether the missile attack was aimed at Netanyahu’s plane. Let us understand in detail what is the equation and history of the strength of Yemen and Houthis compared to Israel.
Hassan Nasrallah’s role and conflict with Israel
Hassan Nasrallah was the top leader of Hezbollah. He has long been involved in the conflict against Israel. Hezbollah was formed in the 1980s with Iranian support, and under Nasrallah’s leadership the organization became extremely powerful politically and militarily in Lebanon. In 2006, there was a war between Israel and Hezbollah, in which Hezbollah’s strength appeared to be increasing. The organization has received widespread support from Iran and Syria, further strengthening its influence in West Asia. Nasrallah’s death could change the course of the tense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Yemen and the rise of the Houthi rebels
The Houthi rebels are a Shia group in Yemen, active in the northern part of the country. In 2014 they captured the capital Sanaa and ousted Yemen’s government from power. After this, civil war started in Yemen, in which the Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened. The Houthis also have the support of Iran, due to which they are seen as a significant challenge in the eyes of Israel and Western countries. The Houthi rebels’ anti-Israel stance and their missile capabilities make them a potential threat to Israel. They have also carried out several attacks outside Yemen, particularly against Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and have used their missile and drone technology in these attacks. If these attacks move more rapidly towards Israel, it could give rise to a new conflict in West Asia.
Who leads the Houthi rebels?
The Houthi rebels are led by Abdul Malik al-Huthi. He is the main leader of this Shia group in Yemen and has been leading this violent movement since 2004. Under his leadership, the Houthi rebels have become dominant in northern parts of Yemen and have played a particularly violent role in the country’s politics and conflict. Yemeni army had killed al-Houthi. The rebellion has since been led by one of his brothers, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, while his father Badreddine al-Houthi became the group’s spiritual leader.
Houthis’ power and missile capability
The Houthi rebels are known for their missile and drone capabilities. Over the past few years they have carried out a number of ballistic missile and drone attacks, which were focused on targets located outside Yemen. In these attacks, Saudi Arabia’s oil installations and UAE’s economic centers have been mainly targeted. The Houthis receive technical and military assistance from Iran, which has increased their military capability.
The Houthi rebels have succeeded in increasing their power by taking advantage of Yemen’s turbulent political situation. They not only control the northern parts of the country, but have also expanded the reach of their attacks. In recent years, their military power has increased, and they have come to be seen as a potential threat to Israel.
Relations between the Houthis and Israel
The Houthi rebels have always considered Israel their enemy. He has made statements against Israel several times and has also threatened to attack Israel. Being supported by Iran, the Houthis’ anti-Israel strategy is also considered part of Iran’s ongoing strategic activities in West Asia. Although the Houthis have not yet launched any direct attack on Israel, given their increasing missile capabilities, there is a possibility that they may take military action against Israel.
Yemen has always refused entry to Israeli passports or any passport bearing an Israeli stamp. According to Israeli law, Yemen is defined as an “enemy state”. During the Israel-Hamas war, Houthi militants in Yemen launched missile and drone attacks against Israel and ships in the Red Sea. The aim of this campaign was to weaken Israel and strengthen its role in the conflict.
Will Yemen and Houthi rebels be Israel’s next target?
After the death of Hassan Nasrallah, geopolitical tensions in West Asia may increase further. Israel can now further strengthen its strategy to stop Iran’s influence. Apart from the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi rebels can also become a serious challenge for Israel, as the Houthis are continuously launching missile attacks and their military capability is increasing.
If the Houthi rebels try to take any kind of action against Israel, it will be necessary for Israel to immediately and effectively eliminate this threat. Thus, the possibility remains that Yemen and the Houthi rebels could be Israel’s next targets, especially if their attacks escalate.
Overall, the death of Hassan Nasrallah has given rise to the possibility of a new conflict in West Asia. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, whose military capability is continuously increasing, may emerge as a new threat to Israel. The impact of any conflict between Israel and the Houthis could be felt widely across West Asia, threatening the stability of the region. In the times to come, it will be important to see what Israel’s strategy is and what direction their relationship with Yemen and the Houthis takes.
