Sanaa, Yemen – Yemen’s Houthi-run government convened a top-level military meeting this week, with President Mahdi al-Mashat presiding over Ministry of Defense officials, the Chief of Staff, and regional military commanders. The timing and scale of this gathering underscore heightened preparations amid the escalating war against Israel led by Iran and its proxies, of which the Houthis are a central force.
According to Houthi-controlled media outlets, the meeting focused on “external threats” and “military readiness,” as the Iranian-backed movement seeks to solidify its role within the Axis of Resistance—a multi-country network including Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraq- and Syria-based militias, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This development comes as the region continues to reel from the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, massacre, carried out by Hamas terrorists, which was the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust.
Strategic Context and Regional Escalation
Since the onset of the Iron Swords War—Israel’s operation in response to the October 7 attacks—Iranian proxies have intensified coordinated assaults across several fronts. The Houthis, entrenched in Yemen’s northwest, have used Iranian-supplied missiles and drones to target Israel, US Navy ships, and Red Sea commercial vessels. These attacks have already led global shipping companies to reroute vessels, raising the cost and risks of international trade.
This mobilization of Houthi military leadership signals renewed intent to escalate operations region-wide. Experts assess that the Houthis’ actions are not isolated but are carefully aligned with Iranian strategic objectives, stretching Israeli and allied resources while threatening maritime security and stability in a region vital for global energy and commerce.
The Houthis’ Expanding Operational Reach
Since 2014, the Houthis have transitioned from a domestic rebellion into a fully empowered proxy leveraging advanced technology and training provided by Iran and the IRGC. In addition to missile attacks against Saudi and Emirati targets, their reach now includes strikes against Israel and Western interests further afield.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, controlled in part by the Houthis, is a critical chokepoint, with approximately 10% of global trade passing through annually. Repeated missile and drone attacks from Yemen have threatened this passage and forced international responses, including American and British air and naval strikes on Houthi infrastructure. These international coalition actions, while disrupting Houthi operations temporarily, have not eliminated their ability to threaten regional and global security.
Israel’s Security Calculus and Preparedness
For Israel, Houthi aggression forms an integral part of the war waged by Iran and its regional proxies. Israeli defense officials have emphasized that responsibility for attacks emanating from Yemen lies with Iran, describing Houthi assaults as acts of aggression within a broader coordinated effort. In response, the Israel Defense Forces have strengthened aerial defenses and early-warning systems in Eilat and southern regions, reinforcing preparedness for further missile or drone barrages.
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the current IDF Chief of Staff, has reiterated that no source of terrorism against Israeli civilians—whether from the north, south, or east—will be tolerated. Israel holds Tehran directly accountable for arming and guiding the Houthis and other terror militias.
Humanitarian Situation and Governance in Yemen
The Houthi regime has tightened its control over Yemen’s most populous areas, often employing coercion, censorship, and the diversion of aid to fortify its military apparatus. The United Nations and international agencies continue to warn of grave humanitarian suffering, made worse by war and Houthi policies. Aid organizations have reported forced recruitment of minors, suppression of dissent, and allegations of widespread human rights abuses under Houthi rule.
Despite attempts at diplomatic de-escalation, including repeated ceasefire initiatives by the United Nations, the Houthis have persisted in military activities and overt alignment with Iranian directives. The high-level defense meeting reflects both a response to these realities and a public signal to their Iranian patrons of unwavering commitment.
The Axis of Resistance and Outlook
The Houthi leadership’s mobilization is inseparable from the broader architecture of the Axis of Resistance. Iranian leadership has called for the integration of its regional proxies—in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen—into a unified strategy of persistent engagement and attrition targeting Israel and the West.
For regional stability, the consequences are profound. As attacks continue, the risk of a wider conflict drawing in additional states, especially Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies, is ever-present. The United States, under President Donald Trump, and allied countries maintain a robust naval and intelligence presence in the Red Sea and Gulf waters, but the adaptability of Iranian proxies has made complete deterrence challenging.
Conclusion
The latest Houthi military summit marks a distinct escalation at a time of mounting regional unrest. For Israel and Western partners, the evolving threat landscape reinforces the need for vigilance, rapid response, and sustained international cooperation. As the arc of conflict extends from Gaza to the Red Sea and beyond, the ability of democratic nations to confront terrorism and defend global trade routes will be tested against an emboldened Axis of Resistance. The events in Yemen serve as a stark reminder that the war imposed by Iran and its proxies—of which the Houthis are a linchpin—continues to destabilize not only Israel’s borders but also the world’s security architecture.
