Nothing to lose: why the Houthi are such a difficult enemy

Despite no shared border between Israel and Yemen, and more than 2000 km between them, a radical terrorist group in Yemen has become a major challenge to Israel.

Shortly after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the Houthi rebels declared their commitment to stand by Hamas in its war against Israel.

During the year and a half that has passed since, they have launched more than 350 attacks using ballistic missiles and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) that have paralysed the southern seaport of Eilat, Israel’s main gateway to the Asia and the far east, and have literally brought it to the verge of bankruptcy. Last week the Houthi spokesperson threatened that Israel’s sea port of Haifa on the Mediterranean coast will be their next target.

In addition, the Houthis’ attacks have been causing major disturbances to Israel’s main international airport. The images of a massive crater caused by a ballistic missile strike on Ben Gurion airport last month had a major disturbing effect.

According to Israeli officials, 41 international airlines were operating flights to Israel on routine days, but now only 27 do so. Companies such as Lufthansa, Ryanair and ITA Airways, Italy’s flag carrier, are still hesitant to resume their services to Israel. The accumulated damages to Israel’s economy by these attacks have been estimated at billions of dollars. 

Israel has retaliated with several long-range aerial attacks on different targets in Yemen, causing devastating damage to infrastructures. However, the effect on the Houthis’ motivations or capabilities seems to be limited at best.