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3. Houthis: What Military Power?

Since Hamas’s attack on October 7, the Houthis have carried out multiple operations in the Red Sea against Israeli and Western ships and have also launched missiles and drones into Israel. This is a way for them to show support for the people of Gaza, but it has also raised fears of a regional escalation of the conflict.

Culture of Secrecy

The Houthis keep the number of their fighters secret, making any estimates difficult, especially as recruitment within the organization has accelerated since the war began. However, according to CIA information, the group is estimated to have around 200,000 fighters. Amnesty International also reports that the Houthis recruit teenagers into their ranks, which increases the group’s mobilization capacity. The Houthi army is divided into several battalions, such as the al-Hussein and Badr battalions.

Since seizing the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in 2011, the militia has developed various sources of income through taxes, levies and revenues from gas and oil resources. It also benefits from customs revenues from the port of Hodeida.

A Powerful Arsenal

The Houthis possess a highly developed military arsenal, enabling them to conduct attacks on land, at sea, and in the air.

In addition to small arms, the movement has a significant stockpile of ballistic missiles, rockets and cruise missiles. Their Typhoon missiles (similar to Iranian Qadr missiles) have a range of 1,600 to 1,900 km. The political instability in Yemen has allowed the Houthis to seize weapons from Yemen’s military stockpiles. As a result, they now have tanks, trucks, mines, anti-tank missiles, heavy and light artillery, as well as Russian and North Korean-made missiles.

Naval Capabilities

The Houthis operate fast and armed boats, as well as booby-trapped and remotely guided vessels, which are highly effective in attacks on merchant ships. In addition to anti-ship missiles like the Chinese-made C-802, the group employs underwater mines and has a combat diver unit.

Drone and Aerial Warfare

The Houthis utilize Iranian Shahed-136 drones, which have a range of 2,000 km, as well as Samad-3 drones, capable of carrying 18 kg of explosives and with an estimated range of 1,600 km. The group also claims to produce its own drones. Their drones are autonomous in flight, guided by GPS technology.

Additionally, the Houthis deploy suicide drones, such as the Qasef-2 model. They also operate helicopters and fighter jets, including Mig-29 aircraft, and for defense, they use Barq-2 anti-aircraft missiles.

Although the Houthis deny it, many of their drones and military equipment contain smuggled Iranian components, according to international experts. However, they also have weapons manufacturing facilities in Saada, which function with parts acquired from the international black market.

Iranian Support

Since the beginning of the Yemeni war, the United States and Saudi Arabia have accused Iran of supporting the Houthis. Iran is suspected of providing advanced military equipment, training, financial aid and intelligence support since 2009. This military assistance is believed to have enabled the Houthis to build their own weapons factories and produce drones.

Although Tehran has repeatedly denied providing direct military aid, it has consistently supported the Houthis politically.