934: Houthis in Yemen | Out of the Loop

Helicopter Takeover

The Houthis' recent helicopter takeover of a cargo ship highlights their advanced military capabilities, likely bolstered by Iranian training. Despite some tactical errors, the operation demonstrated significant skill, indicating that former Yemeni military members and Iranian support play crucial roles. This sophisticated maneuver not only grabbed headlines but also aimed to increase global shipping insurance costs, thereby exerting economic pressure on Israel.

The soldiers who actually landed on the cargo ship, they weren't exactly surgical. They made some mistakes during that actual takeover. They're pointing their weapons at each other. I know one guy hit their weapon against a wall by accident. So they weren't the best of the best, but they were pretty good at pulling this off.

--- Ryan McBeth

The Houthis' ability to execute such operations underscores the complexity of the conflict in Yemen and the multifaceted support they receive from Iran 1.

   

Cyber Capabilities

The Houthis' cyber capabilities are another area where Iranian support is evident. They have launched cyberattacks on Saudi oil facilities, showcasing a dual-pronged approach that combines traditional military tactics with modern cyber warfare. This strategy aims to disrupt critical infrastructure and exert pressure on regional adversaries.

Iran has launched cyberattacks against Saudi Arabia, oil interests trying to shut down terminals or trying to shut down pipelines or trying to shut down production centers. They perform those actions with Houthis rebels and with teams in Iran coordinating together.

--- Ryan McBeth

The origins of the Houthi rebellion trace back to historical religious divisions, adding layers of complexity to their modern-day actions and alliances 2 3.

   

Smuggling Routes

Smuggling routes play a crucial role in sustaining the Houthi rebellion, with Iran using various methods to supply weapons. These routes often involve transferring arms via small boats from freighters near Somalia to Yemen, bypassing international scrutiny. The U.S. Navy attempts to intercept these shipments, but the vastness of the ocean and the ingenuity of smugglers make it a challenging task.

The US Navy does intercept Iranian shipments, but they're also busy. Yeah, the US Navy has a limited number of ships, and it's a really big ocean.

--- Ryan McBeth

This ongoing smuggling underscores the persistent and complex nature of the conflict, highlighting the difficulties in curbing the flow of arms to the Houthis 4.