Recently, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Kats has claimed that Yemen’s Houthi fighters have now become active in Syria as well. This statement is very important, because never before had Israel publicly said that the Houthi group was present in Syria. This claim has not yet been independently verified, but it has increased tension in the entire region.
Israel says that some forces inside the Syrian border may be planning to attack Israeli towns near the Golan Heights. Golan Heights is the area which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 war. After the weakening of Bashar al-Assad’s government in 2024, Israel has further strengthened its control over it.
What are the Houthis doing in Syria?
Katz claims that Houthi fighters may be among the forces that are preparing a ground attack on northern Israel. The Houthi group originated in Yemen and today controls large areas there, including the capital Sanaa. The Houthis have also attacked ships several times in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, affecting international maritime trade.
After the start of the Gaza war, the Houthis have fired missiles and drones from Yemen towards Israel several times. For this reason, Israel fears that if the Houthis become active in Syria, they will have to face danger from the northern border as well.
Reason for Israel’s concern?
Experts believe that the situation in Syria and the many armed groups present there can provide a new strategic space to the Houthi fighters. Iran has already been supporting groups like Hezbollah in Syria. Houthis are also considered an Iran-backed group, so if they come to Syria, Iran’s influence may increase further. This is a cause of concern for Israel.
Israel’s Defense Minister also raised the issue of Druze community. The Druze are a small, exclusive religious community that lives in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. A large part of the Druze community lives in the Golan Heights. Due to increasing instability in Syria, concerns about their security have also increased.
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