Aden (South24 Center)

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi on Thursday (June 25) threatened to target any Israeli activity in Somaliland, as the group’s recent military mobilization and renewed clashes on South Yemen’s fronts raised concerns that it is preparing for a broader internal confrontation.

In a televised speech on June 25, al-Houthi said his group was monitoring what he described as Israeli movements in Somaliland and could act “at any time” against any Israeli activity there. He linked this to what he said were Israeli efforts to control the Gulf of Aden, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Red Sea.

Al-Houthi said his group “will not stand idly by” in the face of any Israeli presence in Somaliland, calling on Red Sea littoral states to adopt a unified position.

He also said the Houthis would not accept the continuation of what he described as the “US-Saudi aggression, occupation, and blockade,” vowing that his group would continue its efforts to end it.

The Somaliland file has become more sensitive for the region since Israel recognized the territory as a state in December 2025, a move rejected by Somalia and criticized regionally.

Israeli and regional media later reported steps toward diplomatic representation between Israel and Somaliland.

The Houthis use the narrative of confronting Israel and the United States as a pretext for their military activities, including mobilizing fighters in neighborhoods, schools, and universities under the banner of general mobilization for Gaza since 2023. The Houthis say hundreds of thousands of Yemenis have joined these armed formations.

Al-Houthi’s remarks came days after the group’s so-called General Mobilization Forces announced their readiness to reinforce the fronts with fighters, in response to his previous call for military escalation, at a time when South Yemen’s fronts are showing signs of rising tension.

The threat toward Somaliland also intersects with the military geography of South Yemen. Any Houthi attempt to frame the Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandab, and the Red Sea as one operational theater could increase pressure on southern frontlines, particularly in Lahj, Al-Dhalea, Shabwa, Yafa, and Kirsh.

Southern political and tribal actors have already warned of renewed Houthi movements.

On Wednesday, the General Secretariat of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) said the continuation of what it described as “Houthi escalation” on southern fronts requires more effective international and regional action.

It called for support for the Southern Forces to confront the Houthis and protect southern governorates.

The STC also rejected what it described as attempts to dismantle the Southern Forces and purge the Ministry of Defense of southern personnel, stressing that it would not recognize any measures aimed at weakening these forces amid rising military tensions.

In the same context, the STC’s National Assembly described the Houthi announcement of general mobilization as a “dangerous indicator,” affirming the readiness of the Southern Forces to defend South Yemen’s territory.

At the tribal level, the Shabwa Tribes Alliance called on tribesmen to prepare and raise their readiness to face any developments, affirming its preparedness to support the Southern Forces and reinforce the fronts if circumstances require.

The General Union of South Arabian Tribes also warned of Houthi military movements and reinforcements toward the fronts of Shabwa, Al-Dhalea, Yafa, and Kirsh.

It called for strengthening the defensive capabilities of the Southern Forces, warning that any security deterioration in the south would have direct repercussions for vital maritime corridors and global trade.

On the ground, a military source told South24 that clashes erupted on June 23 between the Southern Forces and the Houthi militia on the Haifan border front, noting that the group had sent significant military reinforcements to the contact lines with Lahj governorate.

Al-Dhalea’s fronts have witnessed sporadic clashes over the past week between the Houthis and the Southern Forces, during which heavy weapons were used. The clashes killed one southern soldier and injured others, while the Houthis also lost fighters during the attacks.

On the West Coast, the National Resistance forces announced that they had repelled a Houthi attack south of Hodeidah governorate, saying they inflicted human and material losses on the group and captured one of its fighters.

Parallel to the military developments, the office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced the conclusion of a visit to London, where he held talks with British Minister of State for the Middle East Hamish Falconer and other British officials.

The discussions covered the latest developments in Yemen and the wider region, the meetings of the Military Coordination Committee, and prospects for advancing the political process in a way that enhances stability and provides guarantees for the region, including maritime security.