Publish: 10:02, 04 Nov, 2024

Iran’s help turns Houthi rebels into military force: UN

Online Desk
Iran’s help turns Houthi rebels into military force: UN
Photo - Collected

UN experts in a new report said that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been transformed from a local armed group with limited capabilities to a powerful military organization with support from Iran, Iraqi armed groups, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants and others, reports UNB.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have exploited the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and worked to enhance their status in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” to gain popularity in the region and beyond, the experts monitoring sanctions against the Houthis said in the 537-page report to the UN security council.

To support Iranian-backed Hamas militants, whose surprise attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, sparked the war in Gaza, the Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, disrupting global shipping in a key geopolitical area.

Despite Houthi claims that they would target ships linked to Israel, the panel said its investigations revealed the rebels have been targeting vessels indiscriminately.

Its analysis of data from the International Maritime Organization, the US and the United Kingdom revealed that at least 134 attacks were carried out from Houthi-controlled areas against merchant and commercial vessels and US and UK warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden between Nov. 15, 2023, and July 31, 2024.

“The group’s shift to actions at sea increased their influence in the region,” the UN experts said. “Such a scale of attacks, using weapon systems on civilian vessels, had never occurred since the Second World War.”

In their attacks, the experts said, the Houthis used a new and previously undisclosed ballistic missile, the Hatem-2.

The five-member UN panel includes experts on arms, finance, regional affairs, international humanitarian law and armed groups. The experts hail from India, Egypt, Switzerland, Belgium and Cabo Verde. Confidential sources told the panel that the Houthis are coordinating operations with al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and strengthening ties to the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group in Somalia.

The Houthis have been engaged in a civil war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, since 2014, when they took control of the capital Sanaa and most of the north. Hopes for peace talks to end the war vanished after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

The UN experts said the Yemen conflict, which started as an internal fight and expanded into a regional confrontation, “has now escalated into a major international crisis.”

According to the experts, the number of Houthi fighters is estimated at 350,000 now, compared with 220,000 in 2022 and 30,000 in 2015.

“The panel observes the transformation of the Houthis from a localized armed group with limited capabilities to a powerful military organization, extending their operational capabilities well beyond the territories under their control,” the report said.

The experts said the transformation has been possible due to the transfer of military materiel and training provided by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force, Hezbollah and Iraqi specialists and technicians.

Military experts, Yemeni officials and even officials close to the Houthis indicated that the rebel group couldn’t produce complex weapons systems such as ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, surveillance and attack drones, portable air defense systems, and thermal sights, which they have used without foreign support, the UN experts said.

“The scale, nature and extent of transfers of diverse military materiel and technology provided to the Houthis from external sources, including financial support and training of its combatants, is unprecedented,” the experts said.

The panel said it observed similarities between multiple military items used by the Houthis and those produced and operated by Iran or its allies in the Axis of Resistance, which includes Hezbollah and Hamas and armed groups in Iraq and Syria.

It said joint operations centers have been set up in Iraq and Lebanon with Houthi representatives “aimed at coordinating joint military actions of the Axis of Resistance.”

Inside Yemen, the panel said the Houthis have been intensifying military operations against the government. “The internal military situation is fragile, and any internal or external trigger could lead to the resumption of military confrontations,” it said.

The Houthis also have been recruiting large numbers of Yemeni youths and children as well as exploiting Ethiopian migrants, forcing them to join the fight against the government and engage in trafficking narcotics, it said.

“Exploiting high illiteracy rates, particularly in tribal areas, they have reportedly mobilized boys as young as 10 or 11, often despite parental opposition,” they said. “Recruitment sermons and weekly classes on jihad are reportedly delivered in schools.”

Child recruitment reportedly increased after the war in Gaza started and the US and UK airstrikes in Yemen, the experts said. Yemen’s government said it received 3,298 reports of child recruitment in the first half of 2024, with youngsters reportedly used as human shields, spies and in combat — and for planting landmines and explosives, reconnaissance and as cooks.

Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna

More News
Former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies at age 86
Former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies at age 86
Putin gifts over 70 animals to North Korean zoo following troop support for Russian army
Putin gifts over 70 animals to North Korean zoo following troop support for Russian army
4 foreign tourists die from methanol tainted alcohol in Laos
4 foreign tourists die from methanol tainted alcohol in Laos
Ukraine says Russia has launched an ICBM in an attack
Ukraine says Russia has launched an ICBM in an attack
Iran slams US’ veto on Gaza ceasefire resolution
Iran slams US’ veto on Gaza ceasefire resolution
Angela Merkel reveals strategies for dealing with Donald Trump in ‘Memoir’
Angela Merkel reveals strategies for dealing with Donald Trump in ‘Memoir’
UN decides holding high-level conference on Rohingya next year
UN decides holding high-level conference on Rohingya next year
Adani charged in US over massive bribery scheme
Adani charged in US over massive bribery scheme
Ukraine reportedly fires UK 'Storm Shadow' missiles into Russia
Ukraine reportedly fires UK 'Storm Shadow' missiles into Russia
Israeli attack on Syria kills 36
Israeli attack on Syria kills 36
Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits Panama
Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits Panama
US vetoes on Gaza ceasefire resolution
US vetoes on Gaza ceasefire resolution
Latest News
Akbar to be banned for two NCL matches
Akbar to be banned for two NCL matches

18 minutes ago | Sports

Two bodies recovered in Naogaon
Two bodies recovered in Naogaon

23 minutes ago | City

Yunus proud to bring Khaleda back to Senakunja
Yunus proud to bring Khaleda back to Senakunja

29 minutes ago | National

Opportunities created to decrease fuel oil price further: BPC chairman
Opportunities created to decrease fuel oil price further: BPC chairman

1 hour ago | Economy

I believe in free, fair, and credible election: CEC
I believe in free, fair, and credible election: CEC

1 hour ago | National

Shafik Rehman secures bail
Shafik Rehman secures bail

1 hour ago | National

Former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies at age 86
Former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies at age 86

1 hour ago | International

Khaleda Zia makes first public appearance at Senakunja in 12 years
Khaleda Zia makes first public appearance at Senakunja in 12 years

2 hours ago | National

Putin gifts over 70 animals to North Korean zoo following troop support for Russian army
Putin gifts over 70 animals to North Korean zoo following troop support for Russian army

2 hours ago | International

4 foreign tourists die from methanol tainted alcohol in Laos
4 foreign tourists die from methanol tainted alcohol in Laos

2 hours ago | International

Supreme Court stays ex-Addl AG Mehedi’s bail
Supreme Court stays ex-Addl AG Mehedi’s bail

2 hours ago | National

Farmers busy in harvesting paddy in Naogaon
Farmers busy in harvesting paddy in Naogaon

2 hours ago | City

Ukraine says Russia has launched an ICBM in an attack
Ukraine says Russia has launched an ICBM in an attack

2 hours ago | International

No artificial crisis be allowed in food supply chain: Bashir
No artificial crisis be allowed in food supply chain: Bashir

2 hours ago | City

Nasir Uddin appointed as new CEC, along with four others
Nasir Uddin appointed as new CEC, along with four others

2 hours ago | National

Garment workers block road in Gazipur protesting
Garment workers block road in Gazipur protesting

3 hours ago | City

Dr. Yunus advocates for a country where people hold ultimate power
Dr. Yunus advocates for a country where people hold ultimate power

3 hours ago | National

New DMP Commissioner Sazzad Ali takes charge
New DMP Commissioner Sazzad Ali takes charge

3 hours ago | City

Shakib hints he might be available for Windies ODIs
Shakib hints he might be available for Windies ODIs

3 hours ago | Sports

Iran slams US’ veto on Gaza ceasefire resolution
Iran slams US’ veto on Gaza ceasefire resolution

3 hours ago | International

Robert Pattinson cast in Christopher Nolan's next film
Robert Pattinson cast in Christopher Nolan's next film

4 hours ago | Showbiz

Georgia mom charged as son walks alone
Georgia mom charged as son walks alone

4 hours ago | Lifestyle

Ex-MP Shahjahan  arrested
Ex-MP Shahjahan arrested

4 hours ago | National

South Korea donates $2mn to support WFP’s Rohingya food aid in Bangladesh
South Korea donates $2mn to support WFP’s Rohingya food aid in Bangladesh

4 hours ago | Economy

Barrister Suman shifted to Habiganj jail
Barrister Suman shifted to Habiganj jail

4 hours ago | National

Bhutanese Ambassador and BNP leader Fakhrul discuss SAARC revival
Bhutanese Ambassador and BNP leader Fakhrul discuss SAARC revival

4 hours ago | National

Sohanur Rahman honored with YAS24 Award in Geneva
Sohanur Rahman honored with YAS24 Award in Geneva

4 hours ago | National

Russia to provide 30,000 MT of fertilizer to Bangladesh free of charge
Russia to provide 30,000 MT of fertilizer to Bangladesh free of charge

4 hours ago | National

Dollar stagnates as market evaluates Trump policies and fed outlook; Bitcoin soars
Dollar stagnates as market evaluates Trump policies and fed outlook; Bitcoin soars

5 hours ago | Economy

US wants human rights respected in Bangladesh: Spokesperson Miller
US wants human rights respected in Bangladesh: Spokesperson Miller

5 hours ago | National

Most Read
Armed Forces Day: Traffic restrictions in Dhaka Cantonment today
Armed Forces Day: Traffic restrictions in Dhaka Cantonment today

8 hours ago | City

Russia to provide 30,000 MT of fertilizer to Bangladesh free of charge
Russia to provide 30,000 MT of fertilizer to Bangladesh free of charge

4 hours ago | National

New IGP, DMP commissioner appointed
New IGP, DMP commissioner appointed

22 hours ago | National

Response to Israeli strikes on Beirut will be on ‘central Tel Aviv’: Hezbollah chief
Response to Israeli strikes on Beirut will be on ‘central Tel Aviv’: Hezbollah chief

20 hours ago | International

Rizwana for coordination between financial institutions, development partners
Rizwana for coordination between financial institutions, development partners

23 hours ago | National

US vetoes on Gaza ceasefire resolution
US vetoes on Gaza ceasefire resolution

8 hours ago | International

‘Provision of appeal against order of ICT to ensure fair trial’
‘Provision of appeal against order of ICT to ensure fair trial’

5 hours ago | National

Yemeni forces seize Israeli ship in fresh operation
Yemeni forces seize Israeli ship in fresh operation

10 hours ago | International

Jamaat Ameer returns country from UK
Jamaat Ameer returns country from UK

6 hours ago | National

24 Bangladeshis return after 2-year jail term in India
24 Bangladeshis return after 2-year jail term in India

7 hours ago | National

Armed Forces to continue collaboration with people to safeguard independence: CA
Armed Forces to continue collaboration with people to safeguard independence: CA

21 hours ago | National

Nasir Uddin appointed as new CEC, along with four others
Nasir Uddin appointed as new CEC, along with four others

2 hours ago | National

Khaleda Zia to join Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja
Khaleda Zia to join Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja

9 hours ago | National

Dengue: 5 more die, 1034 hospitalised
Dengue: 5 more die, 1034 hospitalised

23 hours ago | National

Indian FS leads Delhi at Bangladesh-India FOC next month: Touhid
Indian FS leads Delhi at Bangladesh-India FOC next month: Touhid

21 hours ago | National

Bangladesh highlights adequate and quality Climate Finance at COP29
Bangladesh highlights adequate and quality Climate Finance at COP29

22 hours ago | National

Australia introduces 'Landmark' bill to ban social media for children under 16
Australia introduces 'Landmark' bill to ban social media for children under 16

6 hours ago | Tech

Rickshaw drivers block railway line, disrupt communication with Dhaka
Rickshaw drivers block railway line, disrupt communication with Dhaka

5 hours ago | City

Barrister Suman shifted to Habiganj jail
Barrister Suman shifted to Habiganj jail

4 hours ago | National

People to decide which party to do politics or join polls: Fakhrul
People to decide which party to do politics or join polls: Fakhrul

22 hours ago | National

US regulators seek to break up Google, as part of punishment
US regulators seek to break up Google, as part of punishment

6 hours ago | Tech

Angela Merkel reveals strategies for dealing with Donald Trump in ‘Memoir’
Angela Merkel reveals strategies for dealing with Donald Trump in ‘Memoir’

6 hours ago | International

Armed Forces Day being observed
Armed Forces Day being observed

7 hours ago | National

VR training tool to boost surgical skills of ophthalmologists
VR training tool to boost surgical skills of ophthalmologists

7 hours ago | National

Report on Bangladesh Pratidin: DNCC to repair road in front of Ziaur Rahman's plot
Report on Bangladesh Pratidin: DNCC to repair road in front of Ziaur Rahman's plot

7 hours ago | City

Bangladesh keen to work closely with Trump administration: CA
Bangladesh keen to work closely with Trump administration: CA

5 hours ago | National

UNICEF appoints 16-year-old Gargee as new youth advocate in Bangladesh
UNICEF appoints 16-year-old Gargee as new youth advocate in Bangladesh

8 hours ago | National

Trump made no mention of Sheikh Hasina's leadership in interview
Trump made no mention of Sheikh Hasina's leadership in interview

5 hours ago | National

Microsoft to introduce voice cloning for teams meetings soon
Microsoft to introduce voice cloning for teams meetings soon

7 hours ago | Tech

Bangladesh ready to face West Indies in first test on Friday
Bangladesh ready to face West Indies in first test on Friday

6 hours ago | Sports