IRAN’S Houthi rebels are now a “major” threat after the “decapitation” of Hezbollah and Hamas, a former Brit colonel has warned.
Yemen‘s Houthis are “largely undamaged” by Israel‘s seven-front war – and still have “significant capability”, Colonel Richard Kemp, 65, told The Sun.
Hamas’ October 7 attack has sparked more than a year of bloodshed as Israel battles to wipe out Iran’s terror proxies.
While Israel has ruthlessly eliminated Hezbollah’s chain of command and assassinated Hamas terror boss Yahya Sinwar, Yemen’s Houthis now “have to be dealt with”, Colonel Kemp said.
He said: “The Houthis are largely undamaged so far. We need to look out for a potentially greater terrorist threat than we’re seeing from them now.”
As Israel has continued its war against Hamas in Gaza, Houthi rebels have sought to help their Iranian-proxy pal by terrorising ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Just this month, the Iran-backed militia launched an explosive-laden drone boat at a Brit oil tanker.
The Houthis have threatened to “escalate military operations” as the conflict between Israel and Lebanon threatens to explode into all-out war.
Colonel Kemp, who led Brit forces in Afghanistan, said: “The Houthis have significant capability.
“I think it ought to be a higher priority for Western countries to try and deal with the Houthis.
“They there have been strikes against them, but they’ve been largely token.
“I think the time probably will come soon where they have to be dealt with – much more strongly.”
The “sophistication” of the Houthis’ year-long blitz has been “made possible by Iranian arming, funding and sponsorship”, Colonel Kemp said.
They have been “particularly effective” due to the “havoc” caused to international shipping in the Red Sea.
Last November, the $50million British-Israeli Galaxy Leader cargo ship was hijacked by Houthi pirates.
Its entire international crew were taken hostage in a “revenge” move for Israel’s war in Gaza.
Nearly a year later, the Houthis still have control of the car carrier and have been using the ship as a trophy to taunt to the West.
And Vladimir Putin is reportedly now helping the Houthis blitz British and US ships – bringing Russia and the West on a collision course.
Colonel Kemp warned wiping out the Iran-backed terror army would not be an “easy task”.
The Houthis are largely undamaged so far. We need to look out for a potentially greater terrorist threat than we’re seeing from them now
Colonel Richard Kemp
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have both tried to deal with the threat from the Houthis for many years – but “didn’t get very far with it”, he added.
“The Houthis are a very effective organisation,” Colonel Kemp said.
“They also use long range ballistic missiles and drones.
“Early on in the campaign, the first ever war in space took place when the Houthis fired a ballistic missile.
“Its trajectory went outside the Earth’s atmosphere and was intercepted by an Israeli Arrow 3 missile, also outside the Earth’s atmosphere.
“It was the first ever example of conflict in space that we’ve seen in history.
“This just shows you the level of sophistication all made possible by Iranian arming, funding and sponsorship.”
Although Iran has “far greater control” of Hezbollah, it still has control of the Houthis in terms of funding and weapons, Colonel Kemp said.
And the rebels have been less of a focus for Israel and the West over the last year.
Colonel Kemp said: “I think it’s an area we need to look out for in the future, a potentially greater terrorist threat than we’re seeing from them now.
“There’s a range of options for Iran to consider as it tries to figure out how to undo the damage that’s already been done.”
One option is for Iran to “latch” onto other terror group – such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS – “to give them greater capability”, Colonel Kemp said.
“We can be sure of one thing – these terrorist organisations are going to continue to be a threat, not just in the Middle East, but also around the world,” he warned.
Last week, Hezbollah named its new boss as Naim Qassem – an ageing terrorist who gave a chilling speech this month vowing to fight on.
Qassem, the former deputy leader, is replacing Hassan Nasrallah – who was killed by Israel last month in massive airstrikes on Beirut.
His accession to the top of Hezbollah will make him the chief target for Israeli assassins, who have already killed dozens of terror chiefs in Lebanon and Gaza.
He takes the reins as Hezbollah defends against an Israeli invasion in the south of Lebanon.
When Qassem was appointed, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gollant said: “The appointment is temporary. The countdown has begun.”
Who are the Houthis?
THE Houthi rebels have spent months terrorising the Red Sea by launching persistent missile and drone attacks on vessels and warships - but who are they?
The Shia militant group who now controls large swaths of Yemen spent over a decade being largely ignored by the world.
However, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war they sprung from relative obscurity to holding roughly £1trillion of world trade hostage – turning one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes into an active warzone.
Their warped battle cry is “Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews and victory to Islam”.
Why are they attacking ships?
In October last year, the rebel group began launching relentless drone and missile attacks on any ships – including warships – they deem to be connected with Israel in solidarity with their ally Hamas.
In reality, they targeted commercial vessels with little or no link to Israel – forcing global sea traffic to largely halt operations in the region and sending shipping prices around the world soaring.
The sea assaults added to the carnage in the Middle East tinderbox as intense ripples from Israel’s war in Gaza were felt across the region – with Iran accused of stoking the chaos.
The Houthi chiefs pledged their Red Sea attacks would continue until Israel stopped its offensive in Gaza.
The group’s chiefs have previously said their main targets are Israel, and its allies the US and Britain.
And despite repeated threats from the West and joint US and UK strikes blitzing their strongholds in Yemen – Iran’s terror proxy appears undeterred.
