From: The Jerusalem Post May 3, 2025
Why is it so hard to stop the Houthis in the Middle East?

The Houthis struck Ben-Gurion Airport this morning, leaving questions on how to deter the Yemeni terror organization.
The Houthis launched a missile at central Israel on Sunday that caused an explosion near Ben-Gurion Airport.

This led to some airlines canceling flights.
Clearly, a missile, or a missile fragment, or even fragments of an interceptor, falling near a major airport is a strategic threat.

Israel has generally allowed the Houthis to launch long-range missiles at it over the last 12 months, assuming these will be intercepted.

While Israel launched a handful of retaliatory raids using warplanes in 2024, it has basically stepped aside when the US began launching its own airstrikes on the Houthis beginning on March 15. The US campaign against them involves at least two aircraft carriers now.

However, Sunday’s attack could be a game-changer.

Although Israeli politicians issued the usual threats, it is unclear if the Houthis can be easily stopped or deterred.
For over ten years, the Iranian-backed Houthis have been able to surprise the Middle East with their capabilities.

The group burst onto the scene in Yemen, transforming from a poor cluster of rebels into a major body that poses a significant threat to the region’s security. They began with drones and missile threats and expanded to attacks on shipping.

The Houthis had already acquired the Shahed 136 drones from Iran, likely as early as 2020. This same drone model was then exported by Iran to Russia.
The Houthis were able to extend the range of their drones and missiles beyond 2,000 km. so they could reach Israel.

The group was able to withstand the Saudis and the Saudi-led coalition for seven years.
It then withstood the US-backed Prosperity Guardian campaign that was supposed to protect shipping in the Red Sea in 2024.