Saleh Abdullah, a 48-year-old supermarket owner in Sanaa, Yemen, initially supported the Houthi armed group’s decision to intervene militarily in the Israel-Gaza conflict. However, he soon began to worry about the potential repercussions of escalating tensions in a country already plagued by political instability, military rivalry, economic challenges, and humanitarian crises.
The Houthi attacks on ships transiting through the Red Sea, which were aimed at pressuring Israel to end the war on Gaza, have triggered a strong response from the West, with the US Defense Secretary announcing a multinational maritime task force to secure the Red Sea. This has increased fears of a new war in Yemen among its people, who are already exhausted by years of conflict.
While the Houthi leadership remains defiant and gains popular support in Yemen by attacking Israeli targets, there is concern that these actions could lead to new humanitarian and economic troubles for the country. Additionally, the Houthi group’s defiance could hinder efforts to negotiate an end to the civil war in Yemen.
Overall, there is a growing sense of apprehension among the Yemeni people about the potential consequences of the Houthi involvement in the Israel-Gaza conflict, and the impact it could have on their already precarious situation.