Yemen's Houthis Deploy Defense System and Train Naval Forces in Preparation for Potential War With International Coalition
The Ansar Allah (Houthi) group is training its special forces in a camp 15 km from Al-Hudaydah port to carry out attacks in the Red Sea under the supervision of Iranian experts and senior leaders in the Houthi naval forces, informed sources told Sheba Intelligence on Monday.
The sources indicated that the Houthis, in conjunction with the escalation of attacks in the Red Sea, are deploying more drones and missiles in Al-Jawf on the border with Saudi Arabia. Lately, missile and drone launch pads were transferred from Amran province to Wadi Al-Khard in the Al-Matma area of Al-Jawf province.
The sources confirmed that the group deployed its defense systems in the capital, Sana'a, especially in the Al-Hafa camp and other camps surrounding the capital, Sanaa, which the group expects to be hit by the international coalition.
Moreover, the sources revealed that the Houthis took advantage of the Gaza war to mobilize many fighters, and some of them were deployed on the frontlines near Marib and Shabwah after days-long training in a camp in Dhamar.
In Rada'a and Mansam areas in Al-Bayda, Houthi forces are receiving in preparation for advancing toward Baihan in Shabwah and Safer in Marib to take over the gas and oil fields.
The Houthi group in Yemen controls roughly 350 kilometers of the Red Sea coastal line. From their bases on the coastal line, they have launched dozens of attacks in the Red Sea and near Bab al-Mandab. The group has also used gunboats in their naval attacks in the Red Sea. Sheba Intelligence has revealed the types of boats the group has employed to hit targets or collect the needed information.
The U.S. has said it will take 'every step' to deter the Houthi group from carrying attacks in the Red Sea.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in Tel Aviv on Friday the Houthis represent a material threat to freedom of navigation, and the Yemeni group is doing so in a vital artery.
Sullivan said, "We are building a coalition. We are working to ensure that we rally the nations of the world, all of whom have an interest in seeing this stop."
The ongoing Houthi escalation in the Red Sea will likely invite a military reply from the U.S. and its allies. However, the group insists that the end of its attacks on ships in the Red Sea is linked to the end of the Israeli war on Gaza.
In a speech yesterday, The Houthi government's caretaker Prime Minister, Dr. Abdulaziz Saleh bin Habtoor, said the involvement of Yemen in the Gaza-Israel conflict is the right decision and option. He stated, "Yemen is carrying out its Islamic, moral, and humanitarian duty to support Gaza and does not expect anyone to thank it for what it is doing."
