The Yemeni military movement the Houthis, which controls significant parts of Yemen, represents a growing threat to the US-Israeli military campaign in the Middle East. Their potential involvement in the conflict could seriously jeopardize the American military campaign in the Persian Gulf, analysts warn.

The group is part of Iran's "Axis of Resistance" along with Hezbollah and Hamas. Having overthrown the Saudi-backed Yemeni government in 2014, the Houthis maintain strategically important military and political positions in the country.

President Trump declared the Houthis a terrorist organization at the start of his second term with the aim of increasing pressure on their activities. However, the movement's leaders have already signaled their readiness for escalation.

The group previously successfully paralyzed Red Sea trade through mass drone and missile attacks on ships. A simultaneous blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal would trigger a dramatic global crisis, especially for oil and liquefied natural gas exports, experts warn.