Former US Envoy Warns Houthi Rebels Are Surpassing Hezbollah in Regional Threat Level

The Houthi rebels are evolving into a force more dangerous than their ally Hezbollah, according to Allison Minor, the former US Deputy Special Envoy for Yemen. Speaking to The National, Ms Minor highlighted the group's maritime raids in the Red Sea, attacks on Saudi Arabia, and cooperation with militant groups like Al Shabab.

The interview coincided with Saudi Arabia's announcement that fresh Houthi attacks injured dozens and struck energy sites, halting operations and causing fires. This marked one of the most significant recent escalations by the Yemeni rebels against the kingdom as they ramp up assaults amid the broader conflict involving Iran and the US.

“Hezbollah is a pure Iranian proxy, but the Houthis have their own ambitions and see themselves as a partner to Iran, and not a junior partner necessarily,” Ms Minor said at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi. Ms Minor, who served as director for Arabian Peninsula affairs during the first Trump administration and now directs the Atlantic Council's Project for Middle East Integration, added that the Houthis are often more reckless in pursuing their vision than Tehran.

Over the past decade, the group has transformed from a local faction into a formidable force, consolidating control over the capital Sanaa and north-western Yemen while threatening regional shipping lanes. Their ties with Hezbollah have enabled them to extend their reach beyond Yemen. With Hezbollah currently at its weakest following conflicts with Israel, the Houthis appear to be inheriting and expanding upon the proxy's regional role.

The Houthi escalation in the Red Sea, which intensified following the Israeli war on Gaza in 2023, derailed a truce agreement with Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia condemned the latest wave of attacks as a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of international law, vowing to retaliate.

Furthermore, the Houthis have reportedly provided weapons and training to Somalia's Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabab in exchange for a cut of ransom money collected from maritime pirates. Security sources emphasize that the Houthis' logistical network relies heavily on cross-border smuggling and maritime supply routes spanning the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea.

Despite the growing threat and an estimated troop strength of 350,000, Ms Minor noted a hesitancy within the Trump administration to address the situation in Yemen openly, as doing so would acknowledge the limitations of the May 2025 ceasefire announcement.