The Story of a Movement: How the Houthis Are Building Their Power Outside Yemen

A study by the Amit Institute reveals how the Houthis are expanding their activities in Africa, establishing weapons smuggling networks, and strengthening ties with terrorist organizations. The concern: a new front that could threaten Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea.

A comprehensive study by the Amit Institute for Research on Terrorism and Intelligence reveals how the Houthis are expanding their activities in Africa, establishing weapons smuggling networks, and strengthening ties with terrorist organizations such as the al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia (al-Shabaab) and the Sudanese Armed Forces. The study, known for its close ties with the Israeli intelligence community, assesses that this expansion could endanger Israeli interests in the region, exacerbate the threat to vessels in the Red Sea, and serve as a space for attacks against Israel and the transfer of advanced weapons to nearby arenas such as the Gaza Strip. The study reviews the Houthis' involvement in the 'Swords of Iron' war that broke out after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the ceasefire in October 2025, except for a ballistic missile launch in March 2026. It also examines the status of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who strengthened his influence in the axis of resistance after the elimination of key figures such as Ali Khamenei and Hassan Nasrallah. The study describes Houthi relations with Iran as complex, with them sometimes acting independently, and their ties with Hezbollah and pro-Iranian militias in Iraq. Additionally, a vast smuggling network from Iran through Somalia is revealed, including cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, and drones, in cooperation with al-Shabaab.