Israel and Hamas have spilled over into the Middle East, drawing the Houthis, an armed group based in Yemen, into the fray. Their involvement has not only affected regional dynamics but also severely undermined the progress made in peace negotiations between the internationally recognized government of Yemen and the Houthis. Talks that had been advancing since a 2022 ceasefire, bolstered by Saudi-Iranian rapprochement in March 2023, are now facing significant hurdles. The intra-Yemeni dialogue has been slowed, trust has eroded, and the already fragile humanitarian situation in Yemen has worsened.
The conflict in Yemen dates back to 2015, when the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa, leading to a Saudi-led military intervention in support of the Yemeni government. Despite years of violent conflict, a turning point came in April 2022, when the United Nations brokered a two-month ceasefire between the Yemeni government and the Houthis. Both sides agreed to halt military offensives, allow fuel shipments into Hodeida, and reopen flight operations from Sanaa to Egypt and Jordan.
This truce was renewed twice, extending until October 2022. Though the ceasefire ultimately expired, it marked the first significant reduction in violence since the war began, with a noticeable drop in armed clashes and casualties. For Yemen, a country ravaged by years of conflict, this was a meaningful step toward peace.
In March 2023, a landmark agreement between regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran provided further impetus to the Yemeni peace process. The normalization of relations between these two nations, which back opposing sides in the Yemeni conflict, was seen as a significant breakthrough. The Houthis, supported by Iran, engaged in direct negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials described the discussions as positive, with both parties expressing optimism about resolving their long-standing disputes.
By April 2023, this engagement had resulted in the release of around 900 prisoners from both sides and ongoing mediation efforts by Saudi and Omani officials. The overall security situation in Yemen improved, and there was renewed hope for a comprehensive peace agreement.
Disruption in Progress: Israel-Hamas War
However, the trajectory of peace in Yemen shifted dramatically after Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a retaliatory war between Israel and Hamas. Shortly after, the Houthis declared their support for Palestine and actively joined the war against Israel. Houthi forces began targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, believing them to be linked to Israel. Their actions soon expanded to include vessels unrelated to the conflict, further destabilizing the vital maritime region.
This escalation resulted in the formation of a 20-nation military coalition, led by the United States, named “Operation Prosperity Guardian.” Its mission is to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The U.S. and the UK launched several attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen, successfully deterring further Houthi aggression to some extent.
In addition to attacks on ships, the Houthis launched missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) toward Israel, with some reaching the southern port city of Eilat, causing its operations to cease. Israel retaliated with strikes on oil facilities in Hodeida, a key port city under Houthi control. Despite the limited physical capacity of the Houthis to directly harm Israel, their involvement in the war has had a profound impact on Yemen’s internal peace process.
Renewed Tensions and Obstacles to Peace
The Houthis’ decision to join the Israel-Hamas war has raised concerns among regional stakeholders and the United Nations. UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg has expressed fears that the Yemeni peace process may become a “collateral damage” of the Israel-Hamas war. He warned that Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have stalled Yemen’s peace talks and risk derailing the fragile progress made since the April 2022 ceasefire.
By December 2023, Yemeni parties had committed to a new ceasefire and agreed on a roadmap that included the resumption of oil exports, payment of civil servants’ salaries, and the easing of restrictions on Sanaa Airport and the Hodeida port. But the Houthis’ escalating actions in the Red Sea led the Yemeni government to suspend the implementation of this roadmap by March 2024, citing a lack of trust and increasing provocations by the Houthis.
The Yemeni government has strongly condemned the Houthi attacks, labeling them as “systematic terrorism” and warning of potential economic and environmental disasters for the region. It has also accused the Houthis of exacerbating the humanitarian crisis by blocking ships carrying much-needed aid from entering the country, further worsening the dire conditions faced by millions of Yemenis.
Regional and International Actors
The involvement of regional actors such as Saudi Arabia and Oman has been crucial in maintaining a semblance of calm in Yemen. Saudi Arabia, which has fought the Houthis since 2015, has refrained from taking more forceful military action against the group despite recent provocations. This restraint is partly due to Saudi Arabia’s desire to maintain the progress made in negotiations and avoid further destabilization.
Oman, which shares a border with Yemen and has long acted as a mediator in the conflict, has also played a diplomatic role in the peace process. Muscat condemned Israel’s retaliatory strike on the Houthis in Hodeida, warning that it would only escalate tensions further. Oman and Saudi Arabia remain committed to preserving the progress made in the negotiations, despite the worsening situation.
The U.S. has taken a more aggressive stance. In January 2024, as Houthi attacks in the Red Sea intensified, the U.S. designated the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group. The U.S. government views the Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea as acts of terrorism, and these attacks have drawn sharp criticism from American officials for undermining peace efforts and harming regional stability.
Humanitarian and Economic Impact
The involvement of the Houthis in the Israel-Hamas war has had devastating consequences for Yemen’s already fragile economy. Oil exports, which are vital to the country’s revenue, have been severely impacted by the conflict. Damaged infrastructure, coupled with a lack of foreign investment in the energy sector, has deepened Yemen’s economic woes. Rebuilding the country’s infrastructure is essential to its economic recovery, but continued violence and political instability have made this task exceedingly difficult.
Humanitarian aid, a lifeline for millions of Yemenis, has been significantly disrupted. Over 18 million people in Yemen, including nearly 10 million children, are in urgent need of assistance. Blockades in the Red Sea have hindered the delivery of food, medicine, and other essential supplies, aggravating the already catastrophic humanitarian situation. The UN has repeatedly urged all parties to allow the free flow of humanitarian aid, but the escalation in violence has made this increasingly difficult.
In addition to their actions in the Red Sea, the Houthis have also undertaken a series of provocative actions inside Yemen. In June 2024, they seized three Yemenia Airlines planes in Sanaa, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded. The Houthis have detained several UN officials and humanitarian workers, further complicating efforts to provide aid. These actions reflect the deepening mistrust between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, raising doubts about the Houthis’ commitment to the peace process.
The involvement of the Houthis in the Israel-Hamas war has added a new layer of complexity to Yemen’s already protracted conflict. What once seemed like a promising path to peace has now been derailed by the Houthis’ actions in the Red Sea and their provocative stance in support of Palestine. With rising tensions, deteriorating security conditions, and worsening humanitarian and economic crises, the prospects for a peaceful resolution in Yemen have become increasingly tenuous.
While regional actors such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United States continue to push for a resolution, the Houthis’ involvement in a broader regional conflict has complicated the peace process. For Yemen to move forward, all parties must recommit to dialogue, adhere to ceasefires, and prioritize the needs of the Yemeni people over regional or ideological alliances. The path to peace remains challenging, but with sustained international mediation and pressure, there remains hope that Yemen can eventually achieve a lasting peace.
