A precise "beheading operation" in Israel, the Houthi prime minister was killed on the spot, and the cabinet was bloodied!
Just as the world thought that the Houthi armed forces were severely weakened, the "resurrection from the dead" of a key figure cast a shadow over this victory.
Did Israel succeed in striking its adversary, or did it inadvertently light a more dangerous fuse?
A lonely beheading?
The air strike on August 28 came suddenly and accurately, targeting the political heart of the Houthi armed forces. Afterwards, the Israelis claimed that they had seized a "narrow intelligence window" and completed a clean "beheading".
The target of the operation, Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Rahawi, was killed on the spot. Also killed were many ministers in his cabinet. When the news came out, the Houthi side immediately denied it, saying it was nonsense.
However, silence and denial could not hide the truth. Two days later, on August 30, officials had to officially admit that their prime minister and ministers had indeed died in the airstrike.
In the midst of this cloud, another point person disappeared. The Houthi's most recognizable spokesperson, General Yahya Saria, was not heard from for 48 hours.
Speculation from the outside world exploded in an instant. Many people believed that the tough guy who ranked at the top of Israel's "must-kill list" was probably in danger.
In a dramatic scene, on September 1, General Yahya suddenly reappeared with a statement. Not only did he confirm the death of Prime Minister Rahavi, but more importantly, he announced to the world with his return: I'm still alive.
General Yahya's "Return of the King" shows that Hussein's top leaders have learned a lesson from Iran and have done more important things in terms of intelligence confidentiality. Prime Minister Hussein's beheading this time may be because Hussein did not expect that Israel would "jump over the wall in desperation."
Because this Israeli operation appears to be very successful, but the actual impact on the Houthis is actually not that great.
This forced Tirahawi's background. In fact, he was originally a figure in southern Yemeni politics. He did not choose to join the Houthi camp until the Yemeni civil war broke out in 2015.
And his premiership is itself a product of political compromise.The Houthis and former Yemeni President Saleh's party reached an agreement that stipulated that the prime minister must be a South Yemeni. Therefore, the symbolic significance of Rahawi's rise is greater than the actual military power.
In other words, Israel went to great lengths and ultimately eliminated only an administrative bureaucrat.
And this is precisely the improvement of the Houthis' counter-reconnaissance capabilities. They have apparently learned lessons from their allies Hamas and Iran, and their internal secrecy and counter-espionage work have become increasingly good, making the core military leadership almost impossible to track.
Houthi counterattack goes beyond missiles
For Israel, the benefits of this operation may far outweigh the risks. In addition to alerting the Houthi leadership, it has completely ignited the Houthis' anger.
The Houthis' response leaves no room for compromise. We will directly confront Israel to the end.
Interestingly, the Houthis, although angry, were not carried away, but aimed at the weaknesses of Israel's air defense system and "bled" Israel with cheap missiles and drones.
It is foreseeable that both Israel itself and the busy Red Sea route will face the threat of larger-scale attacks in the future.
In addition, the Red Sea is a life infra for energy and trade, and the Houthis are well aware that if they create enough trouble here, they can escalate the regional conflict into a global supply chain crisis, putting enormous economic pressure on Israel and its allies.
But the Houthis have also made a "strange move" by arresting 11 UN staff members. This is a one-shot kill with two birds.
On the one hand, this may imply that they have some clues that the attack is related to external espionage. On the other hand, this is also a disguised form of "hostage diplomacy" that forcibly drags the United Nations and the international community into the process and dilutes the "legitimacy" of Israel's military actions.
The real player behind the board
To see where this conflict is headed, it is not enough to focus on the next Israeli air strike, or the next Houthi missile strike. The real key lies in the looming "operator" behind the chessboard - Iran.
The Houthi Armed Forces, an organization officially known as the "Phishad of Allah", developed from a group called the "Young Believers" in the 1990s and renamed in memory of its founder Hussein, who was killed in battle in 2004.
But their military capabilities today, especially the long-range missiles and advanced drone technology that threaten Israel, depend almost entirely on Iranian "blood transfusions."
From Israel's perspective, their strategy is not just aimed at the Houthis. The complete elimination of Hamas in the Gaza Strip is its primary goal, and the Houthi armed forces are seen as an important force that can support Hamas on the flank.
Before the airstrikes, the Houthis had attacked Israeli airports with long-range missiles.
Therefore, Israel's preferred choice is to avoid getting stuck in another large-scale ground war and instead consume Iran's proxies through continued targeted killings.
Therefore, the future variables of this conflict are actually in the hands of Tehran. Will Iran increase its assistance to the Houthis as a more important pawn to contain Israel and the United States?
The answer to this question will directly determine whether the artillery fire in the Red Sea will gradually subside or become more intense.
conclusion
Overall, there is no doubt that this Middle East chess game is moving. Each step could affect the security and stability of the entire region.
From Israel's beheadings to the Houthis' counter-offensive tactics to the power struggles behind them, each link is intertwined, forming a complex map of international relations.
As observers, we must always remain vigilant, because every next decision may change the fate of this turbulent area in an instant.