In the course of this month, the Houthi rebels in Yemen have continued and even increased the launch of missiles and UAVs at Israel, in response to the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The organization's modus operandi and rhetoric shed light on its role and goals in the campaign.
First, Iran is using Yemen as a testing ground for learning about Israel's most advanced interception capabilities in the event of a future conflict between the countries: in defense against Houthi fire, Israel used – for the first time in the world – F-35 aircraft to intercept a cruise missile, as well as the Arrow systems to intercept ballistic missiles. Examining the first operational use of the Arrow 3 is particularly significant, because this system intercepts outside the atmosphere and is therefore considered a “Judgment Day” means of defense for Israel against unconventional missiles.
Second, the launches toward Eilat, where many evacuees from the Gaza envelope sought refuge, complete the chokehold that the “axis of resistance” seeks to impose on Israel, to create a sense of siege and absence of a safe place. A similar goal is served by the threat of the Houthis to attack Israeli ships in the Red Sea and thus block the southern route to Israel.
Third, the Houthis seek to demonstrate their affiliation with the regional camp opposed to Israel and the United States, in contrast to their rivals Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This is an image that serves them in the local conflict in Yemen, where their rival forces are supported by the US and the UAE. This differentiation was emphasized by their leader, who recently declared that if it were not for Saudi Arabia separating between Yemen and Israel, Houthi fighters would have advanced to fight the Israeli enemy. Furthermore, the Houthis are “flexing their muscles” at the Saudis, with whom they reached a ceasefire after many years of fighting: by succeeding in launching attack UAVs as far as Eilat, a distance of about 2000 kilometers, they demonstrate their capability of reaching any point in Saudi Arabia.
Finally, through the Houthis, Iran is “preoccupying” the US military forces in the Red Sea for the purpose of intercepting the launches from Yemen, far from its own territory and from Israel.
In the course of this month, the Houthi rebels in Yemen have continued and even increased the launch of missiles and UAVs at Israel, in response to the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The organization's modus operandi and rhetoric shed light on its role and goals in the campaign.
First, Iran is using Yemen as a testing ground for learning about Israel's most advanced interception capabilities in the event of a future conflict between the countries: in defense against Houthi fire, Israel used – for the first time in the world – F-35 aircraft to intercept a cruise missile, as well as the Arrow systems to intercept ballistic missiles. Examining the first operational use of the Arrow 3 is particularly significant, because this system intercepts outside the atmosphere and is therefore considered a “Judgment Day” means of defense for Israel against unconventional missiles.
Second, the launches toward Eilat, where many evacuees from the Gaza envelope sought refuge, complete the chokehold that the “axis of resistance” seeks to impose on Israel, to create a sense of siege and absence of a safe place. A similar goal is served by the threat of the Houthis to attack Israeli ships in the Red Sea and thus block the southern route to Israel.
Third, the Houthis seek to demonstrate their affiliation with the regional camp opposed to Israel and the United States, in contrast to their rivals Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This is an image that serves them in the local conflict in Yemen, where their rival forces are supported by the US and the UAE. This differentiation was emphasized by their leader, who recently declared that if it were not for Saudi Arabia separating between Yemen and Israel, Houthi fighters would have advanced to fight the Israeli enemy. Furthermore, the Houthis are “flexing their muscles” at the Saudis, with whom they reached a ceasefire after many years of fighting: by succeeding in launching attack UAVs as far as Eilat, a distance of about 2000 kilometers, they demonstrate their capability of reaching any point in Saudi Arabia.
Finally, through the Houthis, Iran is “preoccupying” the US military forces in the Red Sea for the purpose of intercepting the launches from Yemen, far from its own territory and from Israel.