Why Yemen’s Houthis Have Only Grown Stronger Through Years of War

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been a persistent thorn in the side of regional powers, particularly Saudi Arabia and its allies, for over a decade. Despite relentless airstrikes, military interventions, and diplomatic efforts aimed at weakening their hold, the Houthis continue to grow stronger.

Their success can be attributed, in part, to Iran’s expertise and funding. According to Michael Knights, an expert on the Houthi movement, Iran has enabled the Houthis to develop sophisticated weaponry at an unprecedented pace. “They’ve been developed by the Iranians in a fast-track way,” he notes. This accelerated development has allowed the Houthis to field advanced ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones that pose a significant threat not only to Saudi Arabia but also to Israel.

The evidence of Iran’s involvement is overwhelming. Smuggled Iranian arms and components have been seized from multiple shipments bound for Yemen, while a 2024 U.N. report revealed extensive military ties between the Houthis, Iran, and their other allies. The report estimated that the Houthi forces had swelled to up to 350,000 fighters by 2024, a stark increase from the 30,000-strong force they possessed in 2015.

Saudi Arabia’s reliance on U.S.-supplied arms has proven insufficient in warding off Houthi attacks. The kingdom’s arsenal is under pressure, with high-end interceptors in short supply. As a result, Saudi air defenses are struggling to keep pace with the Houthis’ relentless barrage of missiles and drones.

The airstrikes launched by Saudi Arabia, the United States, Britain, and Israel have yielded limited results. Thomas Juneau, a professor of international affairs at the University of Ottawa, notes that “half of the story is Iranian support… but there’s another half of the story, which is the weakness of their adversaries.” He points to the fragmentation and disunity within Yemen’s internationally recognized government as a major factor in the Houthi’s success.

The recent setbacks suffered by anti-Houthi forces have underscored the gravity of the situation. The Houthis’ advances toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait threaten to disrupt global trade routes and further destabilize the region. As regional powers continue to juggle their priorities and interests, it’s clear that a lasting defeat for the Houthi rebels will require more than just air power or limited military interventions.

The lessons of Yemen’s conflict should serve as a cautionary tale for regional powers: investing in ground troops and addressing the underlying weaknesses within their own ranks may prove more effective in ultimately defeating a well-armed and ideologically driven enemy like the Houthis. The stakes are high, with global trade routes and regional stability hanging precariously in the balance.