Escalating move
On January 10, Israel deployed 20 aircraft to attack infrastructure believed to support Houthi forces in Yemen. AFP reported that the Israeli army announced that it had attacked Houthi military targets at the two seaports of Hodeidah and Ras Isa on the west coast of Yemen, and the Hezyaz power plant near the capital Sanaa (Yemen). The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) previously announced the interception of 3 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Yemen targeting Israel on January 9.
Israel attacks Yemen, vowing to hunt down Houthi leaders
The attack on Yemen also came with a warning from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the Houthi forces are paying a heavy price for their aggression against Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the country will hunt down Houthi leaders and “not miss anyone”.
Newsweek on January 10 quoted a Houthi source reacting after the Israeli attack that the group will continue its activities until the fighting in the Gaza Strip ends, and will respond to the actions of Israel and the West. The Iranian government and Hamas in Gaza, Houthi allies, condemned the airstrike.
Israeli fighter
PHOTO: ISRAEL AIR FORCE
Attempts from all sides
Explaining the Houthi’s continuous attacks on Israel, although not causing significant damage, Dr. April Longley Alley of the US Institute of Peace (USIP), commented that in addition to the fact that the Houthis have long maintained a confrontational ideology, For Israel and the West, recent attacks on Israel have allowed the Houthis to recruit more members.
Yemenis took to the streets to protest against Israel on January 10
In Yemen, the Houthis are said to have arrested a number of members as the force increasingly suspects there are spies planted in its ranks, according to the newspaper. The Jerusalem Post January 10, citing Yemeni security sources. Previously, several high-ranking Houthi members were killed in airstrikes while on the move, raising concerns that insiders were leaking information to opponents. According to the newspaper The Wall Street Journal Citing well-informed sources, Houthi leaders constantly change hiding locations and avoid using phones to ensure safety against threats from Israel.
As for Israel, the country has firmly stated that the Houthis could suffer a “miserable fate” similar to Hamas and Hezbollah, and has repeatedly said it will hunt down Houthi leaders. However, experts say that Israel has not prioritized establishing an intelligence network in Yemen for many years, so information factors as well as geographical distance somewhat limit Israel’s attack options. Meanwhile, the Houthis often apply the tactic of small attacks and have weapons support from Iran, to push the conflict with Israel into a prolonged standoff. Observers believe that even with a scenario where Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the Houthis are likely to still attack Israel to increase their influence in the region.
Iran reveals “underground missile city”
Tasnim news agency on January 10 reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) revealed a large-scale underground missile base, described as an “underground missile city”.
Iranian media said this base stored dozens of different types of missiles that were used in Iran’s raids on Israel last year, and also stated that Tehran is producing new special missiles. As the leading force in the “Axis of Resistance” alliance, Iran has recently been accused of providing weapons support to the Houthi, Hamas and Hezbollah groups.
