Strategic Courtship: Moscow Whispers in the Ears of the Houthis

NYN | Reports and analyses 

From a humble beginning to a prominent position on the global military map, the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) in Yemen is steadily advancing in a way that unsettles global power dynamics. From light rifles and bare feet to hypersonic missiles and drones that pierce the skies and impose a strategic siege with international repercussions — this is how the Russian website ForPost described the Houthis’ growing power.

The ForPost report argued that the Houthis (Ansar Allah) are not merely accumulating technical capabilities; they are driven by a firm political will — one that even the most powerful global actors, including the United States and its regional allies, struggle to break.

According to the report, the group now strikes deep into Western interests — from international trade to sensitive Israeli sites — transcending the conventional image of resistance movements to emerge as a force reshaping the contours of global geopolitics.

The report emphasizes that the gap between massive Western investments in missile defense systems and the missiles launched by the Houthis from Sanaa reflects a qualitative shift in the nature of modern conflict.

When a non-traditional force manages to use hypersonic weapons to strike precise targets, it is not merely an isolated military action — it is a clear sign of a fracturing world order.

The report goes on to say that those who once referred to the Houthis as “rebels” behind Pentagon doors are now closely watching their precision strikes on some of the most sensitive points: supply chains, global trade routes, Israeli security, and above all, the international standing of the United States.

The forces in Sanaa are not content with sending military messages to Israel — they aim to deliver a broader message to the world: the era of unipolarity is nearing its end.

ForPost noted that recent statements by the group’s military spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, are no longer just operational updates — they now resemble calculated geopolitical messages delivered with calm confidence. Saree announced the launch of the supersonic “Palestine-2” missile toward an Israeli airport and the flight of drones over cities like Jaffa, Ashkelon, and Eilat — employing rhetoric more akin to a skilled strategist than a desperate insurgent.

As European capitals express growing unease over the Yemeni strikes’ impact on global energy supplies — and as markets watch the escalating ripple effects — Brussels and Washington remain cautiously silent. Even Donald Trump, who once promoted grand plans for “peace in the Middle East,” now finds himself a mere spectator, watching as new players redraw the region’s balance of power.

The ForPost report argued that the rules of the game changed dramatically in November 2023, when the Houthis (Ansar Allah) succeeded in disrupting navigation through the Red Sea, imposing an open blockade in support of the Palestinian cause.

This development, according to the report, was not just a tactical escalation — it revealed a new geopolitical position for Yemen, a country long associated in the Western mindset with poverty and chaos.

Today, however, the very state once excluded from strategic calculations has transformed into a vital hub and a regional voice that cannot be ignored. Confronting Western accusations that Sanaa is fueling chaos and threatening regional stability, military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree remains firm in his stated position: “We will act until Israeli aggression on Gaza stops.”

This unwavering stance — despite its apparent simplicity — is precisely what gives the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) a moral dimension that major powers typically avoid.

In a world where principles are often sold for oil and “humanity” is redefined by interests, Yemen — as ForPost describes — emerges as a rare player, acting with moral stubbornness, unshaped by market dictates.

Through repeated operational successes, the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) has proven that it has moved beyond the phase of being merely regional insurgents. It is now a political force with a clear vision and strategic direction.

This transformation is largely attributed to a noticeable advancement in its technological capabilities. Drone strikes and hypersonic missiles have become defining features of its military performance.

The Red Sea has become a decisive battlefield in this confrontation. No actor has yet succeeded in toppling the group or undermining its standing as a central pillar of resistance.

While once feared and viewed solely as a threat, the Houthis (Ansar Allah) now command a new level of respect — a fact that poses a real challenge to those who have long monopolized the role of peace-brokers and regional power-bearers.