Yemen’s Houthi rebels are gradually becoming ” a powerful military organization », We can read in a report by international experts mandated by the UN Security Council. Supported by Iran, the Houthis of Yemen are part of the “Axis of Resistance”, alongside Palestinian Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah and other groups allied with Tehran.
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This remains an estimate, but the Houthi rebellion in Yemen would have around 350,000 fighters, or 10 times more than 10 years ago. The report published Friday, November 1, by the UN Security CouncilUN mentions a vast recruitment campaign as well as support “ unprecedented » brought to the Houthis from outside.
“ If the expert group was unable to confirm the number of new fighters itself, a massive mobilization would be cause for concern “, he writes, noting that although the new recruits will probably never go to Gaza, “ on the other hand, they could be pushed to fight the Yemeni government » supported by Saudi Arabia.
He mentions recruits among young people and children, but also among Ethiopian migrants in an irregular situation forced to join their ranks and mercenaries from Ethiopian tribes.
Support from Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah, links with al-Qaeda and Somali Shebab
The Houthi rebels have assured support from theIranthrough the al-Quds force of the Revolutionary Guards, in charge of regional operations which, according to the report, transfer ” equipment and support » to the Yemeni rebel group. Based on testimonies from military experts, Yemeni officials and those close to the Houthis, the experts judge that the Yemeni rebels have “not lack the ability to develop and produce complex weapon systems “, like certain missiles they use to target ships in the Red Sea. On the other hand, they note “ similarities between the different equipment used by the Houthis and that produced and used » by Iran and pro-Iranian groups.
The group of experts also considers that the Hezbollah East “ one of the main supporters of the Houthis “, and that he is also involved in their ” decision-making structure “, in support for the assembly of weapons systems, in financial support, the “ indoctrination of young people » and the “ media propaganda “.
The report is also concerned about collaboration “ increased » between the Houthis and terrorist groups like al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, with whom they are now allying against the forces of the Yemeni government.
Finally, experts observe a strengthening of ties with the Somali radical Islamist group Shebab, with a transfer of weapons in both directions. “ According to confidential sources, in order to expand their area of operation, the Houthis are studying the possibilities of carrying out attacks at sea from the Somali coast “, which would explain their rapprochement with the Shebabs, writes the report.
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Consolidated hold over vast territories in Yemen
The UN experts’ document therefore confirms the cooperation between these regional actors, the Houthis have benefited from it in recent years, consolidating their hold over vast territories in Yemen, undefeated despite the military campaign launched in 2015 by Saudi Arabia and his allies.
For a year, the Houthis of Yemen have launched drones and missiles towards Israeli territory, and also attacked ships in the Red Sea, in the name of support for the Palestinian cause claimed by the formations which make up the “Axis of the Resistance” from Iran’s allies.
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