In the midst of ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and limited support from Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels in Yemen have unexpectedly stepped in to aid the Palestinian armed group. Despite the distance and the limitations of their weaponry, the Houthis have launched cruise missiles and drones towards Israel. While these attacks pose minimal threat to Israel, they have significant implications for regional dynamics, particularly for Saudi Arabia, Israel’s archenemy.
To understand the significance of these missile launches, it is crucial to delve into the history of Yemen and the rivalries in the Arabian Gulf region. Yemen underwent a revolution in 1962, ending the rule of the Shia Zaidi sect and resulting in the division of the country into North Yemen and South Yemen. The intervention of non-Arab states, led by the United States, in expelling Iraqi forces from Kuwait further strained Yemen’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. The subsequent expulsion of nearly a million Yemeni workers from the kingdom exacerbated Yemen’s economic hardships.
Amidst these tensions, a full-scale civil war erupted in Yemen in 2014, drawing the involvement of regional powers. Saudi Arabia openly supported a loose Arab-African coalition, while Iran, although not sending its own troops, provided full backing to the Houthi rebels. The conflict has resulted in immense human suffering, with thousands of children dying from starvation and hundreds of thousands losing their lives due to fighting or famine.
While the conflict has somewhat abated, Yemen remains divided, with two competing “governments” vying for control. The Iran-backed Government of National Salvation controls most of the territory from the capital Sanaa, while the other “government” operates from the southern port of Aden but maintains close ties with Riyadh.
Amidst this complex backdrop, Saudi Arabia had plans to normalize relations with Israel, a move that was interrupted by a recent Hamas attack on southern Israel. The attack prompted Saudi Arabia to halt its proposed deal with Israel, causing a setback to Washington’s mediation efforts. As Gaza faced attacks, the only armed support to the Palestinians came from Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy group.
While the initial Houthi missile launches in October seemed like isolated incidents, the recent repeated salvoes indicate a potential pattern. These launches, albeit inefficient and ineffective, suggest that another Iranian-backed group may be joining the Palestinians’ fight against Israel. In the midst of these developments, the White House claimed that Saudi Arabia expressed a willingness to continue working towards normalization with Israel, but this statement remains unconfirmed.
In conclusion, the Houthi missile launches not only complicate regional diplomacy but also hinder Saudi Arabia’s plans for normalization with Israel. The ongoing conflicts and rivalries in the region continue to shape alliances and influence geopolitical dynamics. As the world watches these developments, the implications for peace and stability in the Middle East remain uncertain.
