Israel considers "strangling" Houthi rebels by imposing naval blockade on Yemen

Israel's defence officials are considering several approaches to intensify military actions against the Houthi rebel group, one of which involves imposing a naval blockade on Yemen.

The Israeli navy is in a "particularly advantageous position, strategically speaking"  to establish such a naval blockade of Yemen, which would have the economic "strangulation" of the Houthi rebels as its main goal, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media. 

The destruction of the Syrian military fleet and significant damage inflicted on the naval forces of Hamas and Hezbollah in the Mediterranean has freed Israeli naval resources, the article states. This allows military ships to shift focus from the Mediterranean theatre to operations in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

Israeli media recalls, that the Israeli Navy has recently acquired modern amphibious assault vessels capable of transporting infantry and heavy equipment, including tanks and armoured vehicles. The IDF has cutting-edge 6th-class landing ships, submarines, as well as 5th and 5.5th-class missile ships at its disposal, in what is referred to as the "third circle."

The Israeli military intelligence and the Mossad have meanwhile intensified efforts to collect and analyze intelligence on the Houthis in Yemen. Their primary strategy, according to the publication, involves leveraging the intelligence networks of Israel’s allies, who have established capabilities in Yemen. Israel itself lacks such a network, as the Houthis were not historically regarded as a threat.

This renewed focus points to a strategic shift in Israel’s military priorities to align its naval and intelligence resources to counter the growing threat posed by the Houthis.

By Nazrin Sadigova