Houthis confirm death of their commander after Israel's military strike

Houthis confirm death of their commander after Israel's military strike

In a surprising turnaround in the Yemen conflict, the Houthis have confirmed the death of their chief of general staff. The military strike, for which Israel is held responsible, not only affected the Houthis' military leadership, but also stirred up the geopolitical tensions in the region. [Spiegel] reports that the attack came amid ongoing tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas, which invaded Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli Defense Forces' response was quick: they invaded the Gaza Strip. Subsequently, between October 2023 and June 2024, the Houthis launched over 100 attacks on Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea. This aggressive approach has led to strong counterattacks from the USA, Great Britain and Israel, which has further destabilized the situation. The Houthis have gained popularity among the Arab world's pro-Palestinian population in recent months, strengthening their support and strategic position in the conflict.

The situation in Yemen

Yemen has been plagued by a devastating civil war for years that has divided the country in half. The Houthis are in control in the north, while the internationally recognized government, supported by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia, operates in the south. However, this coalition, legitimized by UN Resolution 2216, is plagued by internal tensions, particularly between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition to the military operations that have been carried out since 2015, massive economic problems are impacting the government's international recognition. Revenues from oil and gas exports have plummeted and the IAR is on the brink of bankruptcy.

The Houthis, on the other hand, have been able to consolidate their control after seizing power in the capital Sanaa in 2014 and are benefiting from military support from Iran. This support has intensified relations between the Houthis and Iran and is leading to greater cooperation with the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Hezbollah.

Perspectives for peace

Despite the ongoing fighting and the human tragedies associated with the conflict, there are signs of a possible peace solution. The UN special envoy announced a new “roadmap” for peace negotiations in December 2023, largely in line with the Houthis’ demands. This could further support their consolidation of power and change the dynamic forces in Yemen.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continues to strive for a compromise with the Houthis and has been conducting negotiations since April 2022, but so far there has been no significant progress. The conflict in Yemen is therefore not just a local phenomenon, but also has international dimensions, which must be viewed primarily in the light of the tense relations throughout the Middle East.