Israel’s Multi-Layered Threat Matrix Against Yemen

Ebenezer M. Oyetakin 

The spectrum of Israeli threats against Yemen is neither episodic nor accidental. It represents a comprehensive, multi-level strategy designed to constrain Yemen’s strategic space, exhaust its capacities, and reshape the balance of power around the Red Sea. What emerges is not a single frontline, but an integrated threat map combining geography, military pressure, intelligence warfare, and political manipulation.

At the strategic and geographic level, Israel’s expanding footprint in the Horn of Africa constitutes a central pillar of this approach. 

Presence and coordination in Eritrea enable surveillance over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, intelligence gathering, and indirect deterrence. 

Meanwhile, engagement with Somaliland—an unrecognized and fragile entity—serves to geographically encircle Yemen, establish low-cost pressure platforms, and manage a prolonged conflict without overt escalation. 

Control and monitoring of maritime routes in the Red Sea further amplify this pressure, turning global trade lanes into leverage tools against Sana’a.

Militarily, Israel appears to favor indirect engagement. This includes the potential for limited airstrikes, targeted operations against sensitive Yemeni sites or figures, and intelligence support for regional actors willing to confront Yemen on Israel’s behalf. 

Naval operations also form part of this posture, whether by threatening shipping, disrupting logistics, or using African coastal bases as quiet support points. The objective is attrition rather than decisive confrontation.

Cyber and intelligence warfare add another dimension. Penetration of communication networks, surveillance of military movements, and cyber operations aimed at decision-making and readiness illustrate a modern battlefield where disruption can be as effective as firepower.

Politically and diplomatically, Israel works to isolate Yemen by pressuring its supporters, undermining Sana’a’s international standing, and exploiting agreements with weak or contested entities to manufacture legal and political cover for hostile actions. 

Parallel to this runs an intense media and psychological campaign, seeking to distort Yemen’s image, weaken public morale, and shape regional and international opinion.

Economically, the threat extends to ports, trade activity, financial flows, and sanctions mechanisms, all intended to erode sustainability over time.

Strategically, the pattern is clear: Israel prefers indirect, low-cost, long-term pressure, with the Horn of Africa as a key axis. 

The conflict is trending toward managed, low-intensity confrontation—one that demands constant vigilance, adaptive balance, and strategic patience in the face of an increasingly complex regional environment.