Despite solidarity with Iran, Houthis reluctant so far to enter the fray

Despite solidarity with Iran, Houthis reluctant so far to enter the fray

Iran’s Shia allies in Lebanon and Iraq have joined the war in the region unleashed by US and Israeli strikes on Tehran. But Yemen’s Houthi rebels, heavily armed have chosen so far not to enter the fray.

The Houthis deny being an Iranian proxy and say they develop their own weapons. But the US says Iran has armed, funded and trained the Houthis with help from Hezbollah.

Observers have been split on what course of action the Houthis, a notoriously mercurial group, may take.

Some diplomats and analysts believe they may have already undertaken individual attacks on targets in neighboring states. There has been no evidence substantiating those claims.

Others say the Houthis are keeping their powder dry for an opportune moment to enter the conflict, in coordination with Iran, in order to exert maximum pressure.

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf Arab hydrocarbon exports and a shift to heavy reliance on the Red Sea might provide such an opportunity.

Lastly, given growing  economic pressure at home and the likelihood of intense US, Israeli and even Saudi attacks should they join the war, some analysts say the Houthis may decide to sit out the conflict altogether