Houthis warn of military intervention as Iran war escalates

2026-03-26 - 19:40

The leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement issued a stark warning Thursday, signaling that his forces stand ready to enter the widening conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. In a televised address carried by Al-Masirah television, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stated: “We are not neutral, but our position stems from belonging to Islam and the Islamic nation.” He added that any developments on the ground would be met with a military response if necessary, referencing previous rounds of Houthi engagement in regional hostilities. A broader regional confrontation Al-Houthi described the US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran as an assault that harms global economic interests and undermines regional security and stability, calling the attacks “unjustified.” He further accused Washington and Tel Aviv of orchestrating a long-term “Zionist plot” aimed at transforming the Middle East and paving the way for a “Greater Israel.” The Houthis, who have controlled Sanaa and much of Yemen since 2014, are backed by Tehran and have previously launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping in solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war. Risks of a wider war The Houthi leader’s remarks come as the conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance continues to intensify. Since February 28, joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran have killed over 1,340 people, including Iran’s then‐supreme leader. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting American military assets. The Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, driving up global shipping costs and oil prices. The Houthi threat of direct military intervention raises the prospect of the conflict spreading further across the region. Türkiye’s call for de‐escalation As the specter of a wider regional war grows, Türkiye has reiterated its call for restraint and diplomacy. Ankara has consistently warned that expanding the conflict beyond Iran and its immediate neighbors would have catastrophic consequences for the entire Middle East. Turkish officials have emphasized that all parties must prioritize dialogue over military escalation, urging the international community to act swiftly to prevent the crisis from engulfing Yemen and the Red Sea corridor—a vital artery for global trade and energy supplies.