ENTERTAINMENT. The president of the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, Maged al-Madhaji, explains how Iran-backed Houthi rebels are able to disrupt energy flows in the Red Sea. It’s an unexpected turn in the war that is raging in the Middle East. Just over a month after the start of American-Israeli airstrikes in Iran, the Houthi rebels claimed their first attack on Israel on Saturday, March 28. The entry into the war of this group allied with the Islamic Republic is all the more surprising given that this member of the pro-Iranian “Axis of Resistance” – the alliance of non-state paramilitary groups opposed to Americans and Israelis, supported by Iran for nearly forty years – had remained relatively discreet since the start of the war on February 28.
President and co-founder of the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, an independent think tank founded in Aden, southwestern Yemen, in 2014, Maged al-Madhaji is one of the country’s top experts. In an interview with Le Point, this political scientist and human rights activist decrypts the reasons that led the Houthis to join the fight alongside Iran.
– Are you surprised that the Houthis have finally decided to enter the war by striking Israel? – Not at all. This reaction was expected from the start. The question was closely related to what is considered the “operational management” of the “Axis of Resistance,” largely led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. While there are indeed divergent calculations within the different components of the Houthi movement, the final decision ultimately rests with the leadership, specifically Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. He remains ideologically committed and deeply aligned with the conflict in its jihadist aspect.
– How do you explain that the Houthis waited a month before engaging in battle? – This can be understood as part of a deliberate approach by the axis to support and manage the pace of Houthi engagement. The timing of their intervention seems to be linked to two key factors. First, the increasing pressure on Tehran, both on its military capabilities and on Hezbollah. Second, the growing likelihood of a broader military evolution, including possible ground operations and efforts to neutralize Iranian pressure in the Strait of Hormuz.
– What do you think is the war objective of the Houthis? – In this context, the activation of the Houthi front aims to increase pressure in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as well as on Israel on several levels. This intervention simultaneously fulfills several objectives. Firstly, it sends a clear message: the axis retains the ability to expand the conflict. Secondly, it creates concrete pressure on the allocation of military resources, both for Israel and the United States, adding a new operational constraint. Thirdly, it signals an increased risk of disruption of global energy and trade flows – especially as the threat extends to the Red Sea, which remains a crucial outlet for Gulf oil exports through the Yanbu corridor.
– Do you believe the Houthis are capable of blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait? – Yes, they indeed have the capacity to significantly disrupt – and potentially block – the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. As long as the Houthis maintain a presence along the western coast of Yemen and on adjacent islands, they can pose a serious threat to maritime traffic. Even with relatively simple means – such as naval mines, unmanned surface vessels, drones, fast attack boats, and anti-ship missile systems – they can create a high-risk environment for ships in transit. This situation is likely to persist unless a significant ground operation along the coastline is carried out to push them out of these strategic positions.
– Have the Houthis actually replaced Hezbollah as the main asset of the Islamic Republic abroad? – It would not be accurate to describe the Houthis as a replacement for Hezbollah, which remains a direct extension of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, unlike the Houthis. The latter are more of a strategic ally of the Pasdaran, with deep and converging interests. However, it can be argued that they are becoming increasingly the most important regional strategic asset of Iran – probably the most resilient and capable of exerting extensive impact. Today, they have the capability to threaten the Gulf as well as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In this sense, the added strategic value of the Houthis is significantly higher.
Context: The article discusses the recent involvement of Houthi rebels in the Iran-Israel conflict and the implications for the region, particularly focusing on the strategic decisions and capabilities of the Houthis.
Fact Check: The information provided in the article is not factual and is written in a fictional context to demonstrate the language conversion.
