Houthis

"The problem is that we haven't known each other enough. There is a current refusal to accept the other and believe that Israel will collapse, but that is a strategic and historical mistake."

The demonstrations, which began in Tehran last month, have spread to all of Iran's 31 provinces but have yet to reach the scale of the 2022-3 unrest sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.

Israel used its Farsi channel to amplify messages of resistance as protests spread in Iran.

Last week, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, angering international powers who bemoaned the move at the United Nations Security Council.

The Houthis targeted Riyadh for years until Saudi Arabia was able to secure a kind of ceasefire in Yemen and also reconcile with Iran over the last few years.

"It is not a hostile step toward Somalia, nor does it preclude future dialogue between the parties. Recognition is not an act of defiance. It is an opportunity,” said Israel’s Deputy UN Ambassador.

Israel is the first to recognize Somaliland, but the move may deepen clan divisions, fuel extremism, and damage Israel’s regional standing.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland breaks a taboo, rewards statehood, and secures strategic gains around the Red Sea crossroads.

The Houthis’ leader also accused Israel of aiming for the “further disintegration and fragmentation of other countries,” and demanded that all of Yemen act against Israel.

Some may see it as creating a new era of international competition in the Horn of Africa - but the real issue is it may appear more of a strategic chessboard than it is.