How much of a difference could Iran’s regional allies make in a war?
Al Jazeera
Yemen’s Houthis and armed groups in Iraq have continued to target Israel, amid escalation between Tel Aviv and Tehran.
As fears of an all-out war between Israel and Iran mount, it is clear that the United States is backing its longtime ally, Israel. But how much of an impact could Iran’s regional allies play in a war between the two?
Over the past year, Yemen’s Houthis have launched regular attacks on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, in solidarity with Palestinians and in protest against Israel’s war on Gaza.
Since Israel assassinated longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a massive air strike on a residential suburb of Beirut last week, plenty of threats have been made across the region.
Following Nasrallah’s killing on Friday – confirmed by Hezbollah the following day – Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree warned in a televised address that the Houthis will continue its assaults until Israel stops attacking Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
He said the group had targeted Israeli military sites in Tel Aviv and the Red Sea port city of Eilat with drones.
