Wall Street Journal: Houthis have transformed from “barefoot fighters” to an international threat with ties to Iranian militias, jihadist movements, and Russia

A recent report by the United Nations, prepared by the Group of Experts, found strong evidence of Houthi cooperation with foreign armed groups. Among the evidence cited in the report was the Houthis’ cooperation with militias in Iraq and Lebanon, in order to coordinate the operations of the Iranian-backed bloc. The report described the Houthis as “transforming from a local armed group with limited capabilities into a powerful military organization.”

The Houthi attacks on commercial shipping prompted retaliation from the United States and its allies, including attacks by the U.S. Air Force and Navy on October 16, including B-2 Spirit bombers, targeting weapons depots. Despite the damage the U.S. strikes did, they did not do enough to deter the Houthi attacks. Israel carried out some strikes, but that left the United States and Western nations to deal with the Yemeni group.

But Israel’s focus on Iran has benefited the Houthis in an unintended way, some analysts argue. After the killing of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, the Houthis “rushed to fill the political and military vacuum within the axis of resistance,” Basha says.

Surprisingly, the Houthis have become closer to some of Al Qaeda’s affiliates, such as Al Shabaab in Somalia, with whom Lenderking says the relationship has “become very strong,” adding that the two movements have looked at ways to increase “the risks and threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”

According to the UN report, the Houthis agreed to provide drones, heat-seeking missiles and explosives to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and discussed operations against the internationally recognized government in Aden and targeting international shipping.

Lenderking commented that countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Djibouti have expressed concern about the shifts, while the United States is discussing with its allies increasing intelligence sharing and interdicting arms transfers. The Houthis are also seeking ways to obtain weapons supplies and funding from abroad, including from Moscow.

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was traded for basketball player Brittany Griner two years ago, is trying to sell the Houthis combat rifles.

In a move that underscores Moscow’s growing involvement in Yemen, a Russian warship in April evacuated the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who is responsible for Iran’s missile and drone program in Yemen, from the port of Hodeidah, according to a Western security official.

The United States is offering a $15 million reward for information on Abdul Reza Shahlai, who directed a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington and a separate attack that would have killed 200 civilians on American soil.

US officials said Russia provided targeting data to the rebels as they attacked Western ships in the Red Sea, and is considering delivering anti-ship missiles to the Houthis.

The United States is using diplomacy to try to prevent this latest transfer. The possible move by Moscow appears to be a response to US support for Ukraine, particularly the possibility that Washington will allow Kiev to use long-range missiles supplied by Western countries against Russia.

Moscow is "using Yemen as a means of retaliating against the United States," Lenderking said.

Source: Wall Street Journal - Translation: Al-Quds Al-Arabi