Who is Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and could Israel target him after Hassan Nasrallah and Yahya Sinwar?

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday confirmed that one of its most high-value targets in the ongoing war, Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, has been killed. Sinwar was the second Hamas chief to be killed by Israel this year, with the first being his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in July in the Iranian capital Tehran, where he was a state guest.

CREDIT: AP

Israel goes after Hamas, Hezbollah leadership

He was also the third top leader of an Iran-backed Palestinian militant group to be killed by Israel since July, with the other being Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah.

Unlike in the past, ever since Israel launched its current war in Gaza on October 8, 2023, the IDF, Mossad, and other agencies have been going after the leadership of the Iran-backed militias. With the war still ongoing and an Israeli response to the Iranian missile attacks earlier this month still impending, there is widespread speculation on who would be Israel's next high-profile target.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Who would be next?

Given the current level of escalations, many have suggested that it won't be surprising if Israel goes after Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran. Others, however, argue that Israel could turn their attention to another Iran-backed militant group in the area¡ªthe Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Who are Houthis?

Like Hezbollah and Hamas, the Houthis are also an armed group that is at war with Israel, but on a much smaller scale.

With Hezbollah and Hamas badly hit by the loss of their top leadership, the Houthis, who control nearly one-third of Yemen, are the only major Iran-backed Axis of Resistance group left in a position to fight against Israel.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Who is Abdul-Malik al-Houthi?

This makes their leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, a potential next target for Israel.

The 45-year-old is the current leader of the Houthi movement, which was founded by his elder brother, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi.

While the Houthis have fired missiles at Israel in the past, and continue to do so in solidarity with Hezbollah, their impact has been minimal.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Why Houthis are not just an Israeli problem

But since last year, the Houthis have turned their attention to disrupting global shipping by firing on vessels in the Red Sea. There is a growing fear that if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis step up attacks on ships in the Red Sea, global shipping could be disrupted, especially during Christmas and New Year, one of the biggest shopping seasons in Europe and America.

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