U.S. Military Action Against Yemen’s Houthis: An Overview of Recent Developments
The U.S. has launched its largest military operation against Yemen’s Houthis in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping, resulting in multiple casualties. President Trump has warned Iran to cease support for the Houthis and indicated the U.S. would respond decisively. The Houthis claim their actions are motivated by support for Palestine, complicating the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The United States has commenced its most significant military campaign in the Middle East against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis since the Trump administration. This operation arises from the group’s attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea, which resulted in the deaths of at least 53 individuals, including five children and two women, with 98 others injured, as reported by the Houthi-run health ministry. According to sources, this military action could extend over several weeks.
President Trump issued a warning to Iran, the principal ally of the Houthis, urging it to halt its support for the group. He indicated that if Iran continued to threaten the United States, the country would hold it “fully accountable” and assertively respond. In response to the U.S. strikes, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi announced that his forces will retaliate by targeting U.S. vessels in the Red Sea, maintaining that if the aggression continues, so will their offensive actions.
The Houthis are a Shiite Muslim rebel faction that has maintained control over much of Yemen since seizing the capital, Sana’a, in 2014 during the civil war. Initially, they emerged as a religious revival movement aimed at addressing the marginalization faced by the Zaydi sect of Shiite Islam. Their ongoing conflicts with the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia conflict have since positioned them as a significant force within the region.
Dr. Sarah Phillips of the University of Sydney noted that the Houthis have portrayed themselves as defenders of Palestinians in an effort to bolster their legitimacy both regionally and within Yemen. She emphasized their focus on external issues as a distraction from the current domestic struggles that Yemenis face amid ongoing conflict.
The Houthis have designated themselves as supporters of the Palestinian cause, engaging in attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea. They have claimed assaults on vessels they associate with Israel across various maritime zones. Their operations have impeded global shipping, compelling companies to redirect their routes, causing economic ramifications.
As a result of the Houthi activities, the United States and Britain have retaliated with airstrikes aimed at protecting vital shipping lanes that account for a significant percentage of global trade. Following a brief cessation of hostilities, the Houthis recommenced their naval operations, prompted by Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In response to renewed Houthi attacks, President Trump ordered a series of airstrikes against Houthi strongholds in Yemen. Trump asserted his intention to employ “overwhelming lethal force” to ensure the secure passage of American ships, declaring that “no terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels” from operating freely.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami remarked that the Houthis operate independently and make their own strategic decisions. Dr. Phillips expressed skepticism about the Houthis’ potential response to U.S. military efforts, citing their enduring experience in conflict and adaptability, suggesting that their operational dynamics are unlikely to change.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for restraint and cessation of military activities in Yemen, warning that further escalation could exacerbate the already critical humanitarian crisis in the nation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio further emphasized the need for Iran to withdraw support for the Houthis, asserting that their capabilities were contingent upon Iranian assistance and that Iran bore responsibility for their aggressive actions.
The U.S. military operation against Yemen’s Houthis marks a significant escalation in response to the group’s aggression towards maritime activities. With a complex history of conflict and external influences intertwined with local grievances, the Houthis have remained a formidable presence in the region. The calls for restraint by international voices, including the UN, reflect the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing violence. The geopolitical implications, particularly regarding Iran’s involvement, continue to shape the conflict landscape.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
