The Yemen-based Houthi movement has formally entered the widening war surrounding Iran, launching ballistic missiles at Israel and threatening to close one of the world’s most critical shipping routes. The attack marks a dangerous new phase in the conflict as the insurgent group adds a fresh front to a war already stretching across the Middle East. Western officials warn the Houthis’ unconventional arsenal — drones, sea drones and long-range missiles — could reshape the battlefield. Missiles Fired at Israel’s Strategic South On Saturday the Houthis fired two ballistic missiles toward southern Israel, targeting the sensitive Negev Desert near the country’s nuclear complex at Dimona nuclear facility. Israeli and American air defences intercepted both missiles, highlighting the reach of the group’s expanding arsenal. But Houthi officials signalled the attack was only an opening move. Deputy information minister Mohammed Mansour warned the campaign would unfold “in stages”. Threat to Close a Global Shipping Artery Mansour also raised the possibility of shutting the Bab al-Mandeb Strait — the narrow gateway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Such a move would dramatically escalate the conflict. Roughly 17% of global commercial shipping passes through the corridor on its way to the Suez Canal. If blocked, it would compound disruption already spreading through the Strait of Hormuz, where tensions have already threatened energy flows. Ingenious Arsenal Puzzles Western Militaries Despite their guerrilla origins, the Houthis have assembled a surprisingly sophisticated weapons toolkit, much of it linked to Iran. Their missile inventory includes Iranian-designed systems such as the Soumar missile and Quds-2 missile, capable of reaching deep into the Middle East. Equally concerning are long-range drones like the Samad-3 drone and the Shahed-136 drone-derived Wa’id system, which can fly more than 1,600 miles before striking. Swarm Warfare at Sea The group has also pioneered maritime attacks using explosive drones, naval mines and swarms of fast attack boats. Since late 2023 the Houthis have targeted more than 200 vessels transiting the Red Sea, forcing international shipping to reroute around Africa. Military planners now warn the Red Sea, Gulf and surrounding straits have become testing grounds for a new style of asymmetric warfare. A Small Force With Outsized Impact Once a small insurgent group from northern Yemen, the Houthis have grown into a force estimated at around 350,000 fighters. Their rise — and close alliance with Iran — has turned them into a strategic pressure point capable of threatening global trade routes. With Washington weighing deeper military involvement and regional tensions escalating, analysts fear the Houthis are betting on a long war — and building the tools to sustain it. The armed rebels with ingenious weapons that could give Iran the edge
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