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Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-774851
The Houthis Represent a New Enemy for Israel to Contend With
(Jerusalem Post) Dore Gold - It is rare that Israel has had to contend with an entirely new adversary that threatens its access to entire parts of the world. But that is exactly what is occurring with the growing Houthi threat, based in Yemen. The Houthis, fully supported by Iran, built an arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones that can reach Israeli territory. Most Houthis, who are Zaydi Shi'ite Muslims, live in the rugged mountains of northern Yemen. The founder of the Zaydi sect, Zayd ben Ali, was the great-grandson of Ali, a close descendant of Islam's prophet, Mohammed. Iran has been supplying the Houthis with state-of-the-art ballistic missiles and advanced drones which have been employed to strike Israel. Houthi drones have destroyed Saudi oil installations and refineries in Abu Dhabi, causing tremendous damage. They have now threatened Israel's southern port of Eilat as well. It has now become critical for the IDF to neutralize this problem. The writer, former president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (2000-2022), served as Israel's ambassador to the UN and as director general of the Foreign Ministry.