U.N. Report Highlights Transformation of Yemen’s Houthi Rebels into a Military Power

U.N. experts report that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have transformed from a local armed group into a formidable military organization, backed by Iran and other groups. They have escalated attacks on maritime targets, disrupting global shipping and increasing their regional influence. The expert panel recorded a substantial rise in Houthi military personnel and noted collaborations with extremist factions. Child recruitment has surged, raising humanitarian concerns in the ongoing conflict.

In a detailed report presented to the United Nations Security Council, U.N. experts have documented the significant transformation of Yemen’s Houthi rebels from a localized armed faction into a formidable military force. This escalation has occurred with considerable external backing, notably from Iran, various Iraqi armed groups, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as highlighted in the comprehensive 537-page report. The experts observed that the Iranian-supported Houthis have strategically utilized the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza to enhance their stature within Iran’s purported “Axis of Resistance,” seeking to elevate their prominence within the region. The Houthis’ military actions have escalated, particularly following the violent events of October 7, 2023, which triggered the current conflict in Gaza. In a show of support for Hamas, the Houthis have engaged in numerous maritime assaults on vessels traversing key corridors such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, thereby posing significant disruptions to global shipping routes. Despite their claims of targeting Israeli-linked ships, investigations have revealed a pattern of indiscriminate attacks against various maritime targets. The report indicated that from November 15, 2023, to July 31, 2024, there were at least 134 documented assaults on commercial vessels as well as U.S. and U.K. warships originating from Houthi-controlled regions. The experts noted, “The group’s shift to actions at sea increased their influence in the region.” They further emphasized the unprecedented scale of these actions, stating that the use of weapon systems against civilian vessels had not been recorded since the Second World War. In terms of military advancements, the report pointed out that the Houthis deployed an unreported ballistic missile, the Hatem-2, during their attacks. The five-member U.N. panel, comprised of experts with diverse backgrounds in areas such as arms, finance, and international humanitarian law, indicated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, along with Hezbollah and Iraqi specialists, have provided crucial military training and supplies, enabling this metamorphosis of the Houthis. The number of Houthi fighters has significantly surged to approximately 350,000 as of now, up from 30,000 in 2015. Furthermore, the report detailed the Houthis’ collaboration with extremist groups including al-Qaida factions and their involvement in further destabilization within Yemen through recruitment tactics that exploit vulnerable populations, including children. The recruitment of minors, sometimes as young as 10 or 11 years, has increased starkly since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, with the Houthi forces employing these youths in various military and logistical roles.

The situation in Yemen has developed into a complex civil war that began as an internal strife in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sana’a, thus overrunning significant northern territories. Initially, this conflict attracted regional attention, but it has escalated into an international crisis. The report underscores that the Houthis, traditionally seen as a localized insurgent group, have evolved into a militarized entity capable of substantial regional military actions, supported by external powers, predominantly Iran. The geopolitical implications of this transformation are profound, given the Houthis’ attacks on maritime routes crucial for global trade, coinciding with broader conflicts in the region, particularly involving Israel and Hamas.

The U.N. experts’ report reveals a significant shift in the capabilities and operations of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, propelled by external military support and a calculated strategy to enhance their influence amidst ongoing regional conflicts. This transformation not only marks the Houthis as a key military player in the Middle East but also poses a direct challenge to maritime security and regional stability, fundamentally altering the dynamics of the conflict and its implications for international relations and humanitarian concerns.

Original Source: www.voanews.com