Former US Envoy Warns Houthi Rebels Are Surpassing Hezbollah in Regional Danger

The Houthi rebels have evolved to become "more dangerous" than their ally Hezbollah, driven by independent ambitions and reckless regional actions, according to former US Deputy Special Envoy for Yemen Allison Minor.

Speaking to The National on the sidelines of the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi, Ms Minor noted that while Hezbollah functions as a traditional Iranian proxy, the Houthis view themselves as equal partners to Iran rather than junior affiliates. This assessment came shortly before Saudi Arabia reported that fresh Houthi attacks injured dozens, struck energy sites, and disrupted operations in one of the most significant escalations by the Yemeni rebels in recent years.

Over the past decade, the group has expanded from a local armed faction into a formidable regional threat, securing the capital Sanaa and north-west Yemen while launching attacks on shipping lanes and neighboring countries. Building on ties with Hezbollah, the Houthis have extended their reach beyond Yemen to advance Tehran's influence across new territories.

The conflict has become increasingly intertwined, creating a complex cycle linking tensions in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq. While the Houthis initially launched Red Sea attacks in 2023 following the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza, their actions have effectively derailed prior truce agreements with Saudi Arabia and drawn renewed vows of retaliation from Riyadh.

Beyond military actions, intelligence and security sources indicate the Houthis have built logistical networks across the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea, alongside collaborating with groups like Somalia's Al Shabab. With an estimated force of 350,000 fighters—including child soldiers and foreign mercenaries—the group continues to rely on cross-border smuggling and complex supply chains.

Ms Minor emphasized that military power alone cannot resolve the Houthi crisis and criticized what she termed a "hesitancy" within the Trump administration to address the escalating situation in Yemen.