Full Breakdown
Houthis Emerge as Iran’s “New Hezbollah” in the Axis of Resistance
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Developments
In the months following the United States and Israel’s attacks on Iran that began in late February 2026, the Houthi movement in Yemen has expanded its territorial control along the Red Sea coast and seized several islands.
Background and Context
The “axis of resistance” – a coalition of Iran-backed militias that includes Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Hamas in Gaza, and Iraqi Shiite paramilitary groups – has traditionally relied on Hezbollah for deterrence against Israel. Recent Israeli strikes have weakened Hezbollah’s armed wing, while the Houthis, long active in Yemen’s civil war, have leveraged the broader U.S.–Iran confrontation to raise their profile.
Strategic Gains and Military Actions
- Maritime control: Houthi forces have taken additional Red Sea ports and islands, positioning themselves to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb and potentially the Strait of Hormuz.
- Air-defense capability: The group announced the downing of a Saudi F-15 fighter jet with a self-modified missile, a feat Hezbollah has not achieved.
- Proxy coordination: Iraqi Shiite militias have joined Houthi-aligned protests, displaying “death to America” slogans identical to those used by the Houthis, underscoring a coordinated messaging effort across the axis.
Official Statements & Responses
Iranian media have framed the Houthi advances as victories for the axis, while Tehran officially denies direct command over the latest operations. Nonetheless, U.S. officials and analysts note a pattern of sophisticated weapon deliveries from Iran to the Houthis, including discussions about closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Degree of Iranian control: Some experts argue the Houthis act independently, citing past instances where they pursued military plans contrary to Iranian preferences. Others, including former U.S. deputy special envoy Allison Minor, contend that the Houthis’ alignment with Tehran has tightened, pointing to regular reports of Iranian weapon transfers.
- Impact on regional shipping: While the Institute for the Study of War warns of potential disruption to oil exports, no concrete data on actual shipping interruptions has been released.