In a notable shift in rhetoric, Yemen’s Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi on Thursday signaled the group could join the war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other, saying his fighters had their “hands on the trigger” and would move “at any moment if developments require it.”
Speaking during his daily Ramadan lectures, al-Houthi declared support for Iran and said the group was ready to escalate militarily if necessary. He claimed the confrontation underway was “a battle for the entire Muslim nation.”
Al-Houthi also praised what he described as “strong operations” carried out by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and said Iran-aligned Iraqi factions were continuing their military actions.
He urged supporters to stage mass demonstrations on Friday in Sanaa and other areas under the group’s control.
The remarks followed several days of notable restraint by the Houthis since the war erupted on Feb. 28, a pause that observers attributed to complex political and military calculations over the risks of direct involvement in a broader regional conflict.
Missile arsenal
In recent years, the Houthis have evolved from a local insurgency into a military force with relatively advanced weaponry, making it one of Iran’s most prominent regional proxies.
Military research centers estimate the group possesses a diverse arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles; some developed locally from Iranian models with assistance from Iranian experts and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
These include long-range missiles such as “Toufan,” with an estimated range of 1,350 to 1,950 km, as well as various versions of the “Palestine” cruise missiles, whose range can reach about 2,000 km.
Medium- and short-range systems include the “Burkan” missiles derived from the Iranian Shahab and Qiam families, with ranges of up to 1,200 km, as well as the short-range “Badr” missiles.
The Houthis have also developed anti-ship missiles such as “Asef” and “Tankil,” modified versions of Iranian missiles equipped with heavy warheads, giving the group the capability to target vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden during its involvement in the Gaza war.
Drone warfare
Unmanned aerial vehicles form a cornerstone of the Houthis’ military strategy, largely because they are cheaper than ballistic missiles and can cause significant economic and psychological impact.
Among the most prominent systems are the “Samad” drones in several variants, particularly the Samad-3 loitering drone with an estimated range of 1,500 to 1,800 km. Some upgraded versions can travel even farther. Newer models, such as Samad-4, are capable of carrying guided munitions.
The group also operates “Waed” loitering drones, which closely resemble Iran’s Shahed-136 and are estimated to have a range of 2,000 to 2,500 km. Short-range “Qasef-2K” drones are widely used in tactical operations.
Military experts say the effectiveness of these drones lies not only in their destructive power but also in their ability to overwhelm air defenses and inflict economic damage by targeting ships or vital infrastructure at relatively low cost.
Naval capabilities
Houthi naval capabilities have expanded significantly over the past two years, with the group introducing new technologies, including unmanned boats and advanced naval mines, with support from Iranian experts.
These capabilities include explosive-laden unmanned boats such as the “Toufan” vessel, a remotely controlled high-speed craft designed to strike ships.
The group has also developed unmanned submersible vehicles capable of attacking vessels from below to evade surface detection systems.
The Houthis possess several types of naval mines planted in shipping lanes, posing a persistent threat to international trade in the Red Sea.
According to military estimates, the group relies on mobile launch platforms hidden within a wide network of tunnels and caves in northern and western Yemen.
In addition, the Houthis maintain a large stockpile of conventional weapons directed internally, with more than 300,000 recruits in their ranks, alongside armed tribal fighters loyal to the group.
Many of the resources in areas under their control have been devoted to recruitment and mobilization in recent years.
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi has described the group as “armed to the teeth” with Iranian weapons banned internationally, saying it has transformed from a local insurgency into a “cross-border terrorist organization” with an advanced arsenal.
Observers say any Houthi decision to directly join the regional war could open a new front in the Red Sea, further complicating the security landscape along one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.
