Iran’s help transformed Yemen’s Houthi rebels into potent military force Report by UN experts

A report by UN experts notes that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have evolved from a local armed group into a formidable military force, bolstered by support from Iran, Iraqi armed groups, and Hezbollah.

The Houthis have leveraged the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict to enhance their standing within Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” gaining regional and international prominence, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The Houthis have intensified their military activities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, disrupting global shipping routes. Despite claims that they target Israeli-linked vessels, investigations revealed indiscriminate attacks on various merchant ships and military vessels from the US and UK.

Between November 2023 and July 2024, the Houthis conducted at least 134 attacks, marking an unprecedented scale of maritime aggression since World War II. They have employed advanced weaponry, including a newly disclosed ballistic missile, the Hatem-2.

The UN panel of experts, composed of members with expertise in arms, finance, and regional affairs, highlighted that the Houthis’ transformation was facilitated by military support, training, and equipment provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah, and Iraqi operatives. The group’s fighters have increased significantly, from approximately 30,000 in 2015 to an estimated 350,000 today.

The report points to a major shift in the conflict, which began as an internal struggle but has escalated into a significant international crisis. The Houthis are now able to conduct complex military operations beyond their territories, a capability they reportedly could not achieve without foreign assistance. The UN experts noted a clear link between the military technology used by the Houthis and that of Iran and its allies.

Additionally, the Houthis have established joint military coordination centres with representatives from Iran and allied groups, aiming to synchronize operations within the Axis of Resistance. Inside Yemen, they are intensifying their military campaign against the internationally recognized government while also recruiting large numbers of Yemeni youth and exploiting vulnerable populations, such as Ethiopian migrants.

Reports indicate that the Houthis have mobilized children as young as 10 for combat, using educational institutions for recruitment purposes. The overall situation remains volatile, with the potential for renewed military confrontations both internally and externally.

By Vafa Guliyeva