Why Iran's Allies Have Yet to Join the War Effort

"The Houthis, a Zaydi Shiite Islamist rebel group, which the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist organization, are among Iran's most powerful and resilient allies. They are a key part of the so-called Axis of Resistance, an informal Iran-led military coalition in the Middle East. During his speech, al-Houthi suggested that the Houthis were ready to lend military support to Iran: 'We are fully prepared for any necessary developments,' he said."

"On February 28th, just hours after the United States and Israel struck Iran, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the supreme leader of Yemen's Houthi movement, gave a speech denouncing the attacks as 'a blatant, criminal, and barbaric act targeting the Muslim Iranian people.' He expressed 'complete solidarity' with Iran and urged the entire Muslim world to apply pressure, of all forms, on the U.S. and Israel."

"And yet, as the war continues into its second week, the Houthis are essentially M.I.A. Iran's other proxies, meanwhile, have done little to bolster Tehran in the war. Hezbollah, the paramilitary group in Lebanon, got involved in the conflict, disregarding the state's sovereignty and firing missiles and drones from Lebanese territory at an Israeli military site near Haifa."

Iran has spent decades building the Axis of Resistance, an informal military coalition in the Middle East including groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah. When the U.S. and Israel struck Iran in late February, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi publicly denounced the attacks and expressed complete solidarity with Iran, calling for Muslim pressure on both nations. Tens of thousands protested in Yemen, and al-Houthi suggested military readiness. However, as the conflict continues into its second week, the Houthis remain largely absent from active participation. Similarly, other Iranian proxies like Hezbollah have shown limited involvement, with Hezbollah firing some projectiles that fell short, resulting in Israeli retaliatory strikes that caused significant casualties in Lebanon.

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