Yemen's Houthi Rebels Resist Temptation to Attack Iran
Despite threats, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have held back from directly intervening in the conflict with Iran. Explore the local priorities driving their restraint.
While Iran's regional rivals have threatened military action in response to the escalating tensions between Tehran and the West, the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels have so far refrained from directly entering the fray. Despite their close ties to Iran and access to an arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones, the Houthis have opted to maintain a cautious stance, driven primarily by their focus on local priorities within Yemen.
The Houthis, a Zaidi Shia rebel group that has been engaged in a protracted civil war with the internationally recognized Yemeni government since 2014, have long been accused of serving as a proxy for Iran's regional ambitions. However, analysts argue that the group's calculus in the current geopolitical climate is more complex, with their domestic agenda taking precedence over the temptation to directly engage Iran's adversaries.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}According to experts, the Houthis' primary objective is to consolidate their control over northern Yemen and secure their hold on power within the country.
Source: Deutsche Welle
