The Houthis may be making pre-emptive moves ahead of any widening conflict in which they may be drawn in. Since the Iran war began, the Houthis have been in the spotlight, with questions swirling about whether they may join the war.
The Houthis joined the war on Israel after the Hamas attack on October 7. Therefore, it’s plausible they might back Iran. So far, however, they are keeping their powder kegs dry.
Now, sources revealed to Al-Ain News in the UAE “that the Houthi militias in Yemen are carrying out extensive field movements in anticipation of any possible attack against them.” The Houthis have escalated attacks within Yemen while “simultaneously bringing in new reinforcements to the front lines, in an attempt to test the defenses of the National Resistance Forces and the Yemeni Army.”
The report reveals that the Houthis began major movements on March 15 on five frontlines, “including the western coastal fronts such as Hodeidah, Taiz, and Lahj in anticipation.”
The Houthis believe that forces of the Yemen government might be preparing an offensive against them. The Houthis rose to power in Yemen in 2015, conquering a part of the country and threatening the key city of Aden. In the past, they fought the Saudi and UAE-backed government forces. Since then, many things have changed in Yemen. There was supposed to be a ceasefire.
Al-Ain says, “Various Yemeni forces have also raised their operational readiness levels, in light of the rapidly changing regional and international circumstances.”
Increase in Houthi recruitment, mobilization
The report goes on to note that there could be clashes near Taiz and Hodeidah. “In light of this, military sources told Al-Ain News that the Houthi militias have brought in military reinforcements to the front lines on several main fronts in recent days, including the western coast, Taiz (southwest) and Marib (central).” In addition, the Houthis have intensified their recruitment and mobilization campaigns in the areas under their control, in preparation for what they call a “decisive internal battle” with the resistance and the Yemeni army.
It remains to be seen if escalation will actually occur. If it does, it’s possible that spillover from the war in Iran could impact Yemen and the Red Sea. The Red Sea is a key global shipping transit route. With the Strait of Hormuz already blocked by Iran, there are concerns regarding global markets if the Red Sea is also threatened.
“Observers believe that the recent Houthi militia attacks go beyond being deliberate provocations to a ‘probing’ tactic and testing the defenses of the Yemeni resistance and army, fearing that they might be subjected to a ground military operation if they participate in the war alongside Iran,” Al-Ain says.