On September 3, the Houthis claimed to have carried out a series of attacks from Yemen, targeting several locations in Israel. According to the group’s military spokesman, these strikes, involved sophisticated missiles and drones, hit Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, causing a suspension of flights and forcing people to seek shelter. The group also claimed to have struck the Israeli General Staff building, the Hadera power station, Lod Airport, and Ashdod Port. The Israeli military refuted those statements and reported that it intercepted two missiles from Yemen on Wednesday and a third missile, launched on Thursday, landed in an unpopulated area outside of Israeli territory. There were no injuries reported.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, recently concluded a visit to Muscat, Oman, where he met with senior Omani officials and the Houthis’ chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdelsalam. Grundberg expressed his deep concern regarding the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and Israel. He urged all parties to show restraint, de-escalate tensions, and protect civilians. Grundberg also condemned the recent detentions of UN personnel by the Houthis, demanding their immediate and unconditional release. He emphasized that these detentions and the seizure of UN property seriously jeopardize the UN’s ability to operate and provide aid in Yemen. Among the detained is Luna Shukri from Jordan, who serves as the deputy head of UNICEF Yemen. Reports suggest that Grundberg’s visit aimed to pressure Omani officials to use their influence to secure the release of the detained staff, However, there is little evidence Grunberg’s efforts were successful.
Additional reports on the arrested UN staff show the Houthis denied a plane carrying the UN Resident Coordinator in Yemen, Julien Harneis, permission to land in Sanaa for talks aimed at securing the release of the staff. The Houthis, in turn, claimed that the detained UN personnel are part of “spy cells” linked to the recent Israeli airstrikes that killed 12 of the group’s senior officials. The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency, citing a statement from the group’s foreign ministry, noted the UN and other organizations were quick to condemn the “legal measures taken by the government against spy cells involved in crimes,” alluding to the attacks on the Houthi leaders. The statements continued by asserting the detention of UN employees was in accordance with Islamic values and domestic and international laws. It also accused the international community of being “indifferent” to alleged Israeli targeting of UN personnel and humanitarian organizations in Gaza over the past two years.
In the wake of these Israeli airstrikes, remaining Houthi leadership reaffirmed their support for Palestinians in Gaza. They expressed their defiance during celebrations for the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on September 4. In a speech, the Houthi Chief Abdulmalek al-Houthi called for “jihad against the tyrants of this age, represented by the Zionist Jews and their supporters.” A joint message from the group’s Defense Minister and Chief of Staff pledged that they would remain “as firm as mountains” in their support for Palestinians. The statement also warned that the US and Israel’s current defeats are “just the tip of the iceberg” of what is to come. Taken together, these statements most likely serve as propaganda to maintain the appearance of strength in the face of the successful Israeli military strike.
Yemeni media reported renewed economic uncertainty in the government-controlled southern regions after the value of the Yemeni rial suddenly dropped on September 2, following weeks of steady improvement. Both the central bank and the Banks Association in Aden, the interim capital, issued warnings against “campaigns of incitement” targeting the banking sector. The rial’s value experienced “incomprehensible volatility” on August 28-31. This sharp decline was attributed to rumors of the rial’s depreciation and illegal speculation rather than any action by the Aden-based central bank. However, the situation led to public criticism and accusations against the central bank for its “opaque” financial management and failure to intervene quickly to stop the speculation. The economic turmoil sparked angry demonstrations in Aden and Lahj province, with protesters accusing currency traders of manipulating exchange rates.
The Houthis appear to be increasing their involvement in the production and smuggling of illicit drugs as a growing part of their war economy. Specifically, the Houthis are expanding beyond the trade of khat to the more lucrative Captagon and methamphetamine markets. On September 3, the Yemeni authorities seized a drug manufacturing plant in the Al Mahrah governorate they said was being used by the Houthis to produce drugs at scale. Six suspects were arrested in the raid, and authorities said they were connected to “Houthi criminal elements” and other regional networks. The increased Houthi drug trafficking is considered a new threat to regional security, and international naval forces have stepped up efforts to intercept shipments in the Arabian Sea.