How the Houthis are strengthening their global alliance From Iran to Russia

The Middle East has undergone significant transformation since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, with the disintegration of the Assad regime in Syria and the decimation of Hezbollah and Hamas leadership. Amid these shifts, the Houthi movement in Yemen has capitalized on the regional vacuum, leveraging its strategic position and ties to Iran, Russia, and China to enhance its influence. As Foreign Policy highlights, this new alliance has bolstered the Houthis' military capabilities, particularly their ability to disrupt international shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital global trade route.

The Houthis' involvement in regional instability is not confined to their support of Iran’s broader agenda. They have also developed independent diplomatic and military connections with Russia and China. Notably, the Houthis have offered Russian and Chinese vessels safe passage through the Red Sea, while also engaging in military procurements with Russia, including automatic weapons and anti-tank missiles. These strategic alliances complicate the security landscape in the region and pose new challenges for the United States and its allies, particularly in managing the dual threat of Iranian-backed groups and increasingly empowered Houthi forces.

One of the key challenges in countering the Houthis lies in their complex relationships with global powers, including Russia and China. These countries provide diplomatic cover, military support, and illicit trade channels, enabling the Houthis to strengthen their position. This international backing allows the Houthis to challenge regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Israel, with the potential to escalate tensions, particularly through their continued targeting of international shipping routes and military installations. Russia’s growing influence in Yemen, exemplified by its presence on the ground and plans to reopen its embassy in Aden, signals its intent to expand its military footprint in the region, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile environment.

While the Houthis maintain their hostility toward Western interests, particularly Israel and the United States, they are also becoming more resilient and entrenched in Yemen. Their ability to withstand Saudi-led efforts to unseat them and their growing regional alliances make them a formidable force in Middle Eastern geopolitics. The Houthi threat, bolstered by Russian and Chinese support, is not likely to dissipate anytime soon, and it may require new diplomatic approaches and military strategies to address it.

As noted in Foreign Policy, despite efforts to weaken the Houthis, the group remains a persistent challenge, exacerbating the suffering of those under their rule while simultaneously threatening global commerce. With regional powers, including Russia, vying for influence, the Houthis are poised to remain a central player in the evolving Middle Eastern conflict, making any resolution to the conflict a complex and long-term endeavor.

By Vugar Khalilov