Yemen’s Houthi rebels are transforming themselves into a “powerful military organisation” due to “unprecedented” military support from outside sources, particularly Iran and Hezbollah, according to a UN report.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza last year, the Houthis, who have controlled large swaths of war-torn Yemen for a decade, have “exploited the regional situation and enhanced cooperation with the ‘axis of resistance’”, the UN experts said.

The panel noted “the transformation of the Houthis from a localised armed group with limited capabilities to a powerful military organisation, extending their operational capabilities well beyond the territories under their control”.

The report, which analysed the period from September 2023 through July 2024, said such a transformation was aided by the transfer of military materiel and financial support.

The rebels also benefited from training and technical assistance provided by the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, as well as Hezbollah and pro-Iran groups in Iraq, the UN experts said.

The report is based on testimony from military experts, Yemeni officials and sources close to the Houthis.