From Sea to Sky: A Different Kind of War Waged in the Name of Gaza

NYN | Reports and analyses 

In a recent report, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) stated that the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) has continued escalating its military operations against Israel, despite sustained pressure from the United States.

According to the report, this pressure has not led to a halt in the attacks. On the contrary, it contributed to a ceasefire agreement with Washington, which ACLED described as a “tactical move” within a long-term resistance strategy, not a sign of retreat or abandonment of military positioning.

Since October 2023, the Houthis have reportedly launched over 520 attacks, targeting 176 commercial vessels and carrying out 155 precision strikes on locations within the occupied Palestinian territories. The report characterized this as a form of “gradual escalation” aimed at supporting Gaza and responding to Israeli aggression.

ACLED noted that the group has employed advanced weaponry, including “Yafa” drones and “Falasteen-2” hypersonic missiles, marking a significant shift in its military capabilities. These weapons enabled the Houthis to strike Ben Gurion Airport and disrupt Israeli air traffic on multiple occasions.

The report emphasized that the Houthis are pursuing a strategy of limited yet high-impact strikes designed to inflict economic and psychological harm on Israel, without becoming entangled in a drawn-out war of attrition.

It also stated that 774 U.S. airstrikes on Yemen since January 2024 have failed to weaken the group or reduce its military effectiveness — exposing, as per the report, the limited impact of U.S. military power in Yemen.

The Houthis’ Red Sea campaign, which began on October 19, 2023, was described as a direct response to the bombing of the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Of the 520+ maritime attacks, 155 targeted Israeli locations, while Western military operations like “Operation Prosperity Guardian,” “Poseidon Archer,” and “Operation Iron Knight” were deemed ineffective in halting the attacks or achieving their goals.

ACLED also challenged Western claims about the destruction of Yemen’s military arsenal, asserting that the Houthi deterrent lies not in the quantity of missiles or drones, but in their ability to disrupt enemy security and impose a constant threat.

The report highlighted the air blockade announced by Sanaa on May 4, 2025, as a significant blow to Israeli aviation. This action led to the withdrawal of several international airlines from Ben Gurion Airport — a development regarded as one of the most successful examples of unconventional military pressure applied by the group.

Regarding the attacks on vessels, the report stated that only 17% of the targeted ships had direct links to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K., undermining the credibility of Western narratives accusing the Houthis of indiscriminate disruption of international shipping.

On “Operation Iron Knight,” launched by the Trump administration in mid-March 2025 at a cost of roughly $1 billion in just two weeks, ACLED labeled it a major failure. It concluded with a ceasefire on May 6, 2025, which the report described as an unspoken concession to the resilience of the Yemeni movement.

The report concluded by stating that the Houthis (Ansar Allah) have redefined the concept of asymmetric warfare in the region, with their advantage rooted not only in military power, but also in media strategy and a resilient narrative of resistance that continues to influence Israeli public consciousness.

Source:

https://acleddata.com/2025/06/26/a-red-sea-hall-of-mirrors-us-and-houthi-statements-vs-actions/