In a significant escalation of the Yemen conflict, the United States military conducted precision airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in the capital Sana’a on Saturday. The strikes, aimed at missile storage and command-and-control facilities, seek to disrupt Houthi attacks on vital shipping routes in the southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.
The US Central Command stated the operation reflects Washington’s “ongoing commitment to protect US and coalition personnel, regional partners and international shipping” from Houthi threats. The rebel group, which controls much of Yemen, has increasingly targeted commercial vessels to enforce a naval blockade on Israel amid the year-long war in Gaza.
Houthi Attacks Trigger International Response
The Houthis’ mounting attacks on shipping, including hundreds of missiles fired at Israel, have prompted retaliatory strikes from the US and UK. Saturday’s operation followed a similar US airstrike last week and deadly Israeli raids on Yemeni ports and infrastructure on Thursday.
The Houthis have been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea for more than a year to try to enforce a naval blockade on Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s year-long war in Gaza.
The US airstrikes coincided with a Houthi missile striking Tel Aviv the same day, wounding 16 people in the second such attack in days. Washington is now seeking global support to expand UN powers to interdict ships heading for Houthi-controlled Yemeni ports, as part of a broader effort to weaken the Iranian-backed rebels.
Potential Re-designation of Houthis as Terrorist Group
The US is also considering re-listing the Houthis as a terrorist organization, a move that would complicate humanitarian operations in rebel-held areas. Yemen is already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises after eight years of civil war.
- The conflict has killed over 230,000 people
- More than 80% of the population requires aid
- Millions are on the brink of famine
Aid agencies have warned that blacklisting the Houthis could severely hamper relief efforts and push more Yemenis into hunger. Designating the group as terrorists would prohibit material support, complicate dealings with Houthi authorities, and restrict travel of individuals associated with the rebels.
Regional Security Implications
The escalating violence between the Houthis, Israel, and the US threatens to further destabilize the region. Iran’s support for the rebels has drawn comparisons to its backing of Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising fears of a wider proxy conflict.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, is a strategic waterway for global oil shipments and trade. Securing the vital corridor is a priority for Washington and its Gulf allies. The US Navy has repeatedly intercepted weapons shipments from Iran to the Houthis, including thousands of rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and missiles.
The US and the Yemeni government have long accused Iran of supplying arms to the Houthis, a charge Tehran denies. The UN has said some weapons seized have technical characteristics similar to arms manufactured in Iran.
As the US intensifies efforts to counter the Houthis, questions remain over the effectiveness of military action in resolving Yemen’s complex crisis. Critics argue that airstrikes and arms interdictions alone cannot address the political, economic, and social grievances fueling the conflict.
Calls for Comprehensive Peace Efforts
Diplomats and humanitarian groups have called for a comprehensive peace process that includes all Yemeni factions and addresses root causes of the war. The UN has repeatedly urged the international community to prioritize ending the conflict and alleviating the suffering of civilians.
Ending the conflict will require compromises from all sides, including a withdrawal of Houthi forces from urban centers, the creation of a unity government, and addressing issues of political representation, resource-sharing, and state structure.
As the US weighs its options in Yemen, balancing regional security interests with the urgent need for a political settlement will be critical. With no end in sight to the fighting, the humanitarian cost of the war continues to mount, underscoring the urgency of finding a path to peace.
