<

Eigenrac Regional Intelligence Reporting and Analysis

Security Insights – Yemen December 2024

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN YEMEN THIS WEEK

Israel vows further retaliation following Houthi strike on Tel Aviv: A Houthi-fired hypersonic ballistic missile struck the Tel Aviv area overnight on 21 December, injuring 16 people mostly from shattered glass and another 14 as they rushed to shelters; the Houthis claimed the strike targeted a military site that they did not identify. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed continued action against the Iran-backed group, accusing them of threatening global shipping and the international order.

US Navy shoots down own jet in friendly fire incident: On 22 December, an American F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet was shot down over the Red Sea in a “friendly fire” incident, with both crew members ejecting safely; the event followed U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi missile storage sites, command facilities in Sanaa as well as hits against multiple drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea.

Risk Categories

Conflict: High Crime: High Health and Medical: CRITICAL Kidnap and Ransom: CRITICAL Personal Safety: CRITICAL Natural and Environment: Medium Political Overview: CRITICAL Terrorism: High Unrest: High

Israeli airstrikes target Houthi sites in Yemen: On 19 December, intense Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s capital and western coastal regions killed at least nine people, according to Houthi-controlled media. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted Houthi “military operations” sites, including ports and energy infrastructure, following a Houthi missile fired toward Israel, which was intercepted. Houthi media reported fatalities from attacks on the as-Salif port, the Ras Isa oil facility, and power stations near Sanaa.

Recorded Instances of Political Violence and Civil Unrest

Analysis Snippet

The latest hostilities between the Houthis, Israel, and the US bring significant implications for Yemen’s security landscape, deepening the country’s instability and further complicating efforts for peace in the region. The Israeli airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including strategic ports and energy facilities in western Yemen, signal a continued escalation in external military operations, which is likely to provoke retaliatory attacks by the Houthis against both Israel and US interests in the region. As Israel vows continued retaliation, and the US focuses on degrading Houthi missile capabilities, Yemen will persist as a theatre for proxy conflict, increasing the risk of civilian casualties, economic disruption, and damage to critical infrastructure. This pattern of hostilities contributes to a protracted humanitarian crisis in Yemen, destabilizing further a country already grappling with conflict.

The increased pressure on the Houthis, who have been labelled by Israeli PM Netanyahu as “almost the last remaining arm of Iran’s axis of evil” following strategic losses faced by Hezbollah and Hamas, is likely to further exacerbate the deteriorating security situation in Yemen. As Iran faces challenges from the loss of its influence in Syria and setbacks for Hezbollah and Hamas, there is a realistic possibility it may shift more focus and support to the Houthis, thereby prolonging the instability in Yemen. This could lead to intensified military engagement and civilian casualties, with the already dire humanitarian conditions deepening in the wake of external interventions, primarily in the form of airstrikes and the targeting of key infrastructure.

OUR SERVICES

Our mission is to provide unrivalled, best-practice services that foster stability and prosperity.

Intelligence Management
Protective Services
Risk Management
Capacity Building