Houthis Move Missiles, Drones to Red Sea Coast Amid Escalation Fears

The Houthi militia, reportedly backed by Iran, has deployed significant military reinforcements and advanced weaponry, including missiles and drones, to western coastal highlands overlooking the Red Sea. This strategic repositioning is viewed as preparation for a new phase of military escalation, coinciding with heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.

Military sources cited by the specialized platform "Defense Line" indicated that the militia is preparing to expand its operations in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait. Plans are allegedly in place to target vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

In recent days, intensified field movements have been observed, including the transfer of naval weapons, ballistic missiles, and drone launch platforms to western areas facing the Red Sea, as well as to central Yemen under Houthi control. The militia has reportedly deployed new weapon systems along the western mountain range spanning the provinces of Hajjah, Hodeidah, Mahwit, Raymah, Dhamar, Ibb, and Taiz, thereby enhancing their capacity for military operations along the western coast.

Concurrently, the sources revealed that the Houthi militia has dispatched combat reinforcements and heavy military equipment to areas near the Saudi border in the provinces of Saada, Hajjah, and Jawf. This deployment occurs alongside the reinforcement of their positions along frontlines with government forces in eastern and central Yemen.

These developments follow an announcement by the National Resistance forces on Sunday, detailing the thwarting of an infiltration attempt by Houthi boats targeting Zaqur Island in the Red Sea, south of Hodeidah province. In a related context, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing Iranian and regional sources, that Iran has instructed the Houthi militia to prepare for the closure of the Bab al-Mandab strait should the United States launch an attack on Iran's energy infrastructure.