October 18, 2026
Talk about the Houthi group’s establishment of joint operations rooms in both Lebanon and Iraq is at the forefront of the regional scene, which opens the door to in-depth readings about the nature of this presence and its role in coordinating fronts and escalation calculations. With the possibilities of expanding Israeli operations intertwined with the increasing political and security pressures on the Lebanese state, the timing of any broader confrontation remains governed by intertwined regional equations.
What was published by the Wall Street Journal, based on UN experts, regarding the Houthis establishing joint operations rooms in Lebanon and Iraq, has brought to light the coordination mechanisms between the group and Iran’s allies. This coordination raises questions about its possible repercussions on the Lebanese front, whether in terms of military movements or in terms of expanding the scope of Israeli strikes.
In this context, military expert, retired Brigadier General Marcel Baloukji, confirmed in a statement to the “Lebanon Debate” website that the Lebanese scene cannot be separated from the broader regional confrontation, considering that the movement of the parties allied with Iran is subject to calculations that go beyond the local arenas, and is closely linked to the balance of pressure and the course of US-Iranian relations.
Balukji believes that the possibility of launching a large-scale Israeli military operation in Lebanon remains, pointing out that its timing is linked to the regional decision and developments in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran. He points out that the decision on the Lebanese front is no longer limited to Hezbollah alone, but is now influenced by the calculations of multiple parties involved in the confrontation throughout the region.
On the other hand, Balukji clarifies that the expansion of Israeli operations does not depend on using the Houthi presence as a pretext, but rather falls within broader goals that include providing protection for Israeli forces and increasing pressure on the Lebanese army and the Lebanese state. He links this field pressure to attempts to push Lebanon towards arrangements linked to the framework agreement, warning that any reduction in the presence of UNIFIL forces in the south will double the burden on the military institution and place it facing serious security and field challenges.
Regarding the military value of the Houthi presence, Balukji explains that Hezbollah has previously provided training support to the Houthis, especially in the fields of drones and explosives. Accordingly, it is likely that their presence in Lebanon is focused on preparation and coordination, rather than adding independent military capabilities that enhance existing capabilities.
The military expert places the aforementioned operations rooms within a broader regional coordination network centered on Iran, and its communication channels are distributed among parties allied with Tehran. The importance of this network, according to his reading, lies in controlling the timing of movements and coordinating their synchronization across multiple fronts, which requires approaching its role from a comprehensive regional perspective that goes beyond the Lebanese borders.
In the face of the existing military and political pressures, Balukji expects to see countermoves by Hezbollah and the Houthis, pointing out that the Iraqi arena is likely to witness developments on the ground during the next phase. As for Lebanon, the internal movements are read in the context of an attempt to exert counter pressure, amid serious fears of a strong external strike, especially in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Baloukji concludes that the direct impact of these movements in Lebanon at the current stage remains political par excellence, while the transition to a broad military escalation remains governed by the path of understandings and calm between the United States and Iran and the decisions that the two sides may take.
