Yemen Could Be Sucked Into the US War on Iran
Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement has held back so far from full-scale involvement in the conflict between the US and its Iranian allies. But with ceasefire talks seemingly close to collapse, Yemen could be drawn into any renewed outbreak of war.
Following Israeli attacks on Hezbollah and the collapse of Syria’s Assad regime, Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement is now the strongest part of the Iranian-backed Axis of Resistance. But it has good reason to hesitate before joining the war on Iran’s side. (Mohammed Huwais / AFP via Getty Images)
As the supposed ceasefire in the US-Israeli war against Iran turns into fresh episodes of military aggression, both in the Gulf and in Lebanon, it is increasingly likely that the Bab al-Mandab, the other major strait in the region, will be involved in any renewed expansion of the war.
Prior to the declaration of a ceasefire, Yemeni involvement was minimal, with six airborne attacks on Israel between late March and April 7, none of which caused any significant damage. On June 7, however, Iran and its Yemeni allies simultaneously launched missile attacks on Israel intended to put an end to its deepening occupation of Lebanon.
In addition, both Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and Yemen’s Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Huthis, renewed their threats to carry out attacks on shipping in the Red Sea if the Israeli assault on Lebanon continues.
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