Yemen’s peace process imperiled as Houthis target Israel
Experts say the attacks are designed to increase the Houthis’ standing domestically, and to potentially increase their leverage in talks with Saudi Arabia.
WASHINGTON — A series of recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthis targeting Israel are jeopardizing prospects for peace with the rebels’ other arch-foe, Saudi Arabia.
In solidarity with Hamas, the militant movement in Yemen has launched long-range missiles and drones toward Israel, nearly all of them intercepted. The Houthis on Nov. 8 also shot down an American Reaper drone off the coast of Yemen, accusing the United States of spying on behalf of Israel.
The Yemeni group on Sunday used a helicopter to seize an Israeli-linked, Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, and is currently holding its 25 crew members hostage. No Israelis were onboard.
The Houthis have warned that all vessels tied to Israel are “legitimate targets” amid the war in Gaza, where the Hamas-run government says the death toll has topped 13,300.
