However at the same time, it is also necessary to emphasize the difference between the Houthis and Iran’s other arms in Israel’s vicinity
In Iraq and Lebanon, there are armed militias, some of which take an active part in local government but do not wield control of their respective countries and have never pretended or aspired, to do so openly
This is not the case when it comes to the Houthis
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The Houthis in Yemen are not an organization within the state like the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq nor a party within the government like Hezbollah
The Houthis are the state; 1. they speak on behalf of the Republic of Yemen 2. and the Yemeni people, 3. they call their military “The Yemeni Armed Forces,” 4. they enact laws and they force their oppressive rule in areas under their control – 5. including Sanaa and the important port city of Hodeidah.
Even if their control is not absolute over the entire country due to pockets of resistance, this is no different from other countries that are embroiled in conflicts with separatist groups, such as 1. Syria under former leader Bashar Assad 2. or even Ukraine with pro-Putin forces driving separatists from within
