Israel carried out its second round of airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthis on Monday, a significant mission because it involved dozens of aircraft, included mid-air refueling, and was a long-term mission. This process is important in ways that go beyond just the Houthis; It’s good real-time operational training.
However, when it comes to the goal of responding to the Houthis, the question remains whether the group will be deterred.
“During a large-scale intelligence-based air operation, dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft – including fighter jets, mid-air refueling aircraft and intelligence aircraft – struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Ras Issa and Hodeidah,” the Israeli military said on Sunday. regions of Yemen. The targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which was used by the terrorist Houthi regime to transport Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil.
The army said this came in response to recent attacks carried out by the Houthis, specifically three long-range ballistic missile attacks against central Israel: on September 15, September 27, and September 28.
The Israeli army indicated in its statement that “during the past year, the Houthis have been working under the guidance and funding of Iran and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation.” “.
What are their capabilities?
In addition, the Israeli Air Force commander said, “Anyone who tries to harm civilians in the State of Israel – we will reach him.”
There is no doubt about Israel’s achievements here; It sends a message to the Houthis. However, the group’s abilities seemed to be largely untouched. They possess long-range missiles, while the Iranians have helped them stockpile ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones – for the past decade. The Houthis fought a long war in Yemen against the government – with support from Saudi Arabia and other countries, and emerged from it successfully. As such, they have experience in combat, especially against countries that possess advanced weapons.
Over the past year, the group has become bolder: it has attacked commercial ships and confronted naval forces, including the US Navy, as well as US Central Command. Israel attacked and shot down American Reaper drones.
They grow in power.
What remains to be seen is whether Israeli strikes are able to curb the group’s ambitions. It is also a lesson in the use of air power; Even on long-range missions, although the mission may be successful and impressive, it is not clear that air power can achieve all that is intended.
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In Lebanon and Gaza, it is easier to do this because they are geographically closer to Israel. But longer-term missions, such as the campaign between the wars in Syria, have not succeeded in stopping the Iranian threat. The two rounds of strikes on the Houthis may not succeed in achieving this either.
