Footage showing Yemenis erupting in cheers over Iran’s missile strikes on Israel has gone viral, capturing a striking moment of public reaction amid a volatile regional crisis.
The mass celebrations coincided with Al-Wilayah Day, a major religious-political event for many Yemenis.
But the displays of solidarity on Yemen’s streets go beyond symbolic gestures.
Since late 2023, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have carried out more than 190 attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, dramatically disrupting global shipping routes. Despite repeated airstrikes by Israel and U.S.-led forces—most recently on key infrastructure in the port city of Hodeidah—the Houthis continue to launch missiles and drones toward Israel and its allies.
Their enduring military activity highlights both the strategic importance of Yemen in Iran’s regional influence and the growing complexity of the Middle East conflict, as localized insurgencies become increasingly intertwined with state-level confrontations.
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