A former Pakistani MP, Faisal Raza Abidi, urging Yemen’s Houthi rebels to target India with missiles. This stems from recent inflammatory remarks where he accused India of supporting Israel in the Gaza conflict and framed it as an enemy of Islam. He suggested that the Houthis, an Iran-backed group known for their missile and drone capabilities, should extend their attacks beyond Israel to include India.
The Houthis have demonstrated the ability to launch ballistic missiles and drones over significant distances, with ranges up to 2,000-2,500 kilometers, as seen in their attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping. India is approximately 2,500 kilometers from Yemen at its closest point, making it theoretically within reach. However, there’s no evidence that the Houthis have any current intent or strategic reason to target India. Their focus has been on Israel, the U.S., and their allies in the context of the Gaza war, not broader regional rivals like India.
Abidi’s statement appears to be provocative rhetoric rather than a credible prediction. It reflects his history of controversial and polarizing commentary, often lacking substantiation—such as his unproven claim that India is arming Israel in Gaza. While India has defense ties with Israel, no public data confirms direct military support in the current conflict. The call to action seems more about escalating anti-India sentiment than reflecting any operational reality.
Could the Houthis target India? Logistically, it’s possible but unlikely without a major shift in their objectives or external pressure, such as from Iran. For now, this remains speculative noise from a fringe voice, not a grounded threat.
By BHARAT GLOBAL TIME
