Erfan Fard
Ali Khamenei has issued a warning that if Israel’s attacks on Gaza persist, the “Axis of Resistance”, will continue to retaliate. This bold statement signifies the intention of this recalcitrant and ornery mullah to challenge the United States. Undoubtedly, he has direct involvement in the Hamas attack, given the green light from Russia.
The term “resistance forces,” as mentioned by Ali Khamenei, refers to a transnational network of Islamic terrorism known as the “axis of resistance” in the Islamic Republic’s literature and IRGC’s propaganda machine. This network encompasses various armed groups financially and militarily supported by the Islamic Republic. Examples of these terrorist and war criminal groups include Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hashd al-Shaabi (PMF) in Iraq, Houthis (Ansarullah) in Yemen, and entities like Fatemiyoun and Zainbiyoun brigades in Syria. The Tehran regime plays a significant role in perpetuating and extending warfare, acting as a source of turmoil and “Islamic terrorism”.
Furthermore, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has been shaped by various actors and alliances, among them the Houthi movement and Hamas terrorists. The Houthi terrorist movement, also known as Ansarullah, has become a significant and an integral player within the transnational terrorist network of Iranian regime – so called “Axis of Resistance”-, a loosely affiliated group aligned against Western influence in the region, largely under Iran’s guidance. On the other hand, Hamas is a Palestinian terrorist organization focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is a possibility that the Houthis, with their growing ties to Iran’s IRGC and expanding military capabilities, to intervene in a conflict between Hamas and Israel.
1. Houthis and the banner of “Axis of Resistance”:
The Houthi movement has emerged as a key member of the Iranian-led “Axis of Resistance” , which includes various Islamic terrorist groups sharing an anti-Western stance. Over the years, the Houthis have strengthened their ties with Iran and other members of this informal alliance. This relationship has expanded the Houthi threat beyond Yemen’s borders, enhancing their military capabilities and enabling the projection of force far beyond their territory. Supporting the Houthis allows Iran to exert influence in Yemen and the broader Arabian Peninsula, furthering its strategic interests.
2. Iran’s Support and Involvement in terrorist network:
The terrorist loving mullahs in Iran plays a crucial role in supporting the Houthi movement, both financially and militarily. The support of mullah terror entity includes providing weaponry, training, and strategic guidance. Iran views the Houthis as a means to counter its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, by supporting the Houthi insurgency against the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. The level of support from Iran has increased since 2014, transforming the Houthi movement into a potent force with the ability to disrupt regional stability. Iran sees the Houthi movement as a valuable proxy to counter its regional adversary, Saudi Arabia.
3. Houthis and Their Ideological Objectives:
The Houthi movement, rooted in Zaidi Shia Islam, has a history of anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiment. Their slogans and affiliations reflect these ideological stances. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the spiritual leader of the movement, has emphasized engaging in jihad as the primary means to expel Israel from Palestine, showcasing their alignment with broader anti-Israel sentiments within the Axis of Resistance. Ideologically, the Houthi movement’s Zaidi Shia roots resonate with Iran’s Shia-centric regional aspirations, strengthening their ideological bonds.
4. Operational Capabilities and Regional Threat:
The Houthi military has significantly evolved, incorporating elements resembling Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah. Their access to advanced weaponry, including antiaircraft systems, ballistic missiles, UAVs, and more, enables them to pose a considerable threat to neighboring states, making their involvement in conflicts, such as the Hamas-Israel conflict, plausible. The Houthi’s ability to conduct strikes, similar to Iran’s strategies, showcases their enhanced capabilities and potential for involvement in conflicts beyond Yemen.
5. Shared Anti-Israel Sentiments and Alignment:
The Houthi movement’s ideological stance, epitomized by slogans denouncing Israel and expressing solidarity with Palestine, aligns with the broader sentiments within the “Axis of Resistance”. Their leadership has repeatedly emphasized their desire to stand with Palestine, portraying a unified anti-Israel stance. This alignment increases the likelihood of the Houthis intervening in a conflict involving Israel, acting in harmony with the broader goals of the Axis of Resistance.
6. Potential Scenarios:
In the event of a significant escalation in the Hamas-Israel conflict, especially if the United States intervenes, the Houthis could align their interests with the broader Axis of Resistance. This could manifest as direct military involvement, possibly in the form of missile and drone attacks, supporting Hamas against Israel. Such intervention would amplify the complexities of an already tense and multifaceted regional geopolitical landscape.
7. Potential Intervention in a Hamas-Israel Conflict:
Given their alignment with the Axis of Resistance and their shared anti-Israel sentiments, there is a possibility that the Houthis may become involved in a conflict between Hamas and Israel. If the conflict escalates, and the United States intervenes, the Houthis have expressed their readiness to participate, including engaging in missile and drone attacks. This indicates their willingness to extend their involvement beyond Yemen and potentially support Hamas against Israel.
8. Preparedness for Engagement in Conflict:
The Houthi leadership, particularly Seyyed Abdul Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, has openly articulated their willingness to partake in conflict should the United States directly intercede. Their demonstrated readiness for engagement, encompassing the utilization of missile and drone attacks, underscores their resolve and capability to expand their sphere of influence beyond Yemen, potentially involving themselves in conflicts that transcend their immediate geopolitical boundaries.
Seyyed Abdul Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi fervently conveyed via the Al-Masira news channel his perception that the pursuit of jihad, within the context of Islamic principles, represents a fundamental avenue to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation. Abdul-Malik underscored their profound dedication to the cause of supporting Palestine and emphasized their preparedness to mobilize considerable forces, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, to safeguard Palestine when circumstances are conducive. Furthermore, he accentuated their resolute alignment with the objectives of the resistance movement, firmly stating, “In the event that the United States opts for military intervention, we are fully equipped to engage, utilizing advanced measures such as missile and drone strikes.”
The evolving dynamics in the Middle East, especially within the Axis of Resistance, pose complex challenges to regional security. The Houthi movement’s growing ties with Iran and its willingness to project force beyond Yemen raise concerns about its potential involvement in conflicts beyond its borders. While the Houthis are primarily focused on the Yemeni conflict, their alignment with the Iran’s terrorist network under the banner of “Axis of Resistance” and their expanding military capabilities suggest a possibility of intervention in a Hamas-Israel conflict, making it imperative to closely monitor the situation and strategize for a stable and peaceful region.
