The Current and Future Houthi Threat to the Middle East

Dec 29, 2024

Also published in United Nations Security Council
About the Authors
Michael Knights
Michael Knights

Michael Knights is the Jill and Jay Bernstein Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and cofounder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias.

Articles & Testimony

An effective response to the group's persistent aggression should include strengthening the United Nations verification and inspection mechanism, preparing sanctions against actors who violate UN resolutions, and taking steps to interdict arms transfers.

The Houthis have, with strong Iranian backing and encouragement, exploited the enfeeblement of the Yemeni government since the Arab Spring of 2011, expanding through military conquests and seizing the capital, Sanaa, from the internationally recognized government in a September 2014 military coup. Since then, the Houthis have overrun Yemen’s Red Sea ports, and tried to seize the port city of Aden and the energy hub of Marib. With sustained military support from Iran, they remain postured to lunge forward at any time to snuff out the last strongholds of the internationally recognized government of Yemen...

Download a PDF of prepared remarks for this testimony

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