The leader of the Houthi movement in Yemen, Abdul‑Malik al‑Houthi, issued a statement on March 4 announcing his movement’s readiness to take part in the war alongside the Iranian regime. He declared that his fighters’ “hands are on the trigger” and that the movement “will act whenever circumstances require it.”
According to him, the movement is “active on all fronts, with its hands on the trigger regarding escalation and military action whenever circumstances demand,” adding that “the battle underway is the battle of the entire nation.”
The military confrontation that erupted on February 28, 2026, between Iran and the United States together with Israel has gradually expanded into additional arenas across the Middle East. While militias aligned with Tehran in Iraq and Lebanon have already entered the cycle of hostilities, the key question now is whether the Houthis in Yemen will also join the confrontation militarily.
The Houthis are considered one of Iran’s most important regional allies and a central component of what is often referred to as the “Axis of Resistance.” Since the outbreak of the war, the leadership of the Houthi movement, Ansar Allah, has expressed full support for Tehran and has blamed Washington and Jerusalem for the regional escalation.
Houthi leaders have emphasized that they are closely monitoring developments and reserve the right to take action according to circumstances. Nevertheless, their support has so far remained largely political and rhetorical. The movement has limited its activities to statements of solidarity, information campaigns on social media, and mass demonstrations held in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital.
Despite repeated declarations of readiness and heightened alert, the Houthis have not yet announced any direct military actions connected to the war.
According to senior security officials, the Houthi leadership’s hesitation stems from several considerations.
On the one hand, the movement presents itself as part of the Iranian-backed regional camp and stresses its ideological and political commitment to supporting Tehran in its struggle against Washington and Jerusalem. On the other hand, broad military involvement could expose the Houthis to direct American and Israeli strikes against the military and economic infrastructure they have built in northern Yemen, the areas they effectively control.
It is worth recalling that Israel carried out a significant strike against the Houthis in Yemen several months ago.
The targeted killing operation against the Houthi leadership in Sanaa, known in Israel as Operation “Long Arm,” took place in late August 2025 and was considered one of the most distant and consequential Israeli operations in the Yemeni arena.
According to reports, Israeli Air Force aircraft struck a building in the Yemeni capital where senior Houthi leaders were meeting. Among those killed was the prime minister of the Houthi government in Sanaa, Ahmed al‑Rahawi, along with several ministers and senior officials in the movement.
The strike was based on precise intelligence gathered over an extended period and was intended to damage the Houthi leadership’s decision-making apparatus and its ability to manage the campaign against Israel.
Israeli security officials assessed at the time that the operation dealt a significant blow to the organization’s political and operational leadership, although it did not eliminate its military capabilities or its ability to continue operating against Israel and its allies in the region.
Israeli security sources now believe that despite the initial shock and political pressure, the Houthis retain the capability to carry out limited operations against strategic adversaries, particularly Israel and its Gulf partners.
American intelligence officials estimate that the Houthis are currently supporting Iran indirectly through logistical and intelligence assistance and limited activity in the Red Sea.
However, given the increasingly difficult situation facing the Iranian regime, it cannot be ruled out that they may soon begin attacking Israel and the United States in an effort to ease pressure on Tehran.
Israeli security officials believe this is one reason why the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN‑78) traveled to the Red Sea to prepare for a potential confrontation with the Houthis.
Commentators in the Gulf say the difficulty of maintaining “complete non-involvement” is increasing due to the Houthis’ dependence on Iranian assistance and internal pressure from hardline factions in Yemen.
In their assessment, if the confrontation against Iran intensifies, including additional strikes by Israel or the United States and a real threat to the rule of the clerical leadership in Tehran, the Houthis may opt for a limited but serious step such as launching anti-ship missiles or attacking geographically closer targets, particularly along the Red Sea coastline or at strategic ports.
In conclusion, according to Israeli and American assessments, the Houthis are fully aware of the severe military blows Iran is currently absorbing from Israel and the United States.
They were also reportedly shocked by the killing of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As a result, they are expected for now to remain in a position of indirect support, with only a limited risk of direct intervention.
Any decision to enter the war fully will depend largely on developments inside Iran, Israel’s response, and the movement’s ability to maintain internal stability in the territories under its control in northern Yemen.
One scenario reportedly being discussed within the Houthi leadership is the expansion of maritime operations in the Red Sea, including attacks on ships or interests linked to Israel or Western countries. Another possibility is the launch of missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles toward Israeli targets, although such a move would involve significant operational and technological challenges.
According to senior security officials, the Houthis’ final decision may also depend on developments inside Iran itself. A severe blow to the Iranian regime, a direct Iranian request to activate regional fronts, or deliberate attacks against Houthi leaders could accelerate the decision to join the war.
For now, it appears that the Houthi leadership is attempting to balance its commitment to the Iranian axis with the need to preserve the stability of its rule in northern Yemen. However, it may ultimately follow the path of Hizbullah and open a broader war against Israel and the United States.
