News - Middle East: A Zionist research and studies center has emphasized that Yemenis are not merely simple fighters as often portrayed but rather a dangerous and well-equipped army capable of threatening "Israel" and its allies.

In a report titled "Assessing the Houthi Threat to Israel and the West," the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs stated that the fighters in Yemen are no longer a group of qat-chewing shepherds as previously depicted. 

Instead, they have evolved into a formidable, well-armed force consisting of more than 800,000 fighters. They pose a significant threat to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, the U.S. Navy, and international shipping through the use of drones and ballistic missiles. The report highlighted that Yemenis are among the most resilient members of the "Axis of Resistance."

The report also referenced remarks by Bill LaPlante, the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, who noted that Yemenis are wielding increasingly sophisticated weapons, including missiles capable of extraordinary feats. He described the Houthis as becoming "alarming."

LaPlante added: “I’m an engineer and a physicist, and I’ve been around missiles my whole career. What I’ve seen of what the Houthis have done in the last six months is something that — I’m just shocked.” 

He noted that the Yemeni military has earned the analysts’ epithet "Southern Hezbollah". After Israeli military campaigns against Hamas and Hezbollah, "Ansarullah" (the Houthis) are regarded as the most enduring and dangerous faction.

The U.S. official continued, "Like 'Northern Hezbollah,' the Yemenis view their mission as alleviating Israeli pressure on Hamas, and they are likely to appear on Israel's borders as an expeditionary force." He also pointed out that Sanaa's forces have managed to down advanced MQ-9 drones, which he described as "highly sophisticated."

Since October 2023, following intensified Israeli violence in Gaza, Yemeni forces have launched multiple operations in solidarity with Palestinians, targeting areas in occupied Palestinian territories and intercepting ships believed to be headed toward Israeli-controlled ports.

The recent operations highlight Yemen’s broader support for Gaza while signaling the potential for further military actions across several regional theaters if their demands are not addressed.