The United States, under President Donald Trump, has intensified its military campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, launching a series of airstrikes over the weekend that killed at least 53 people, including children, and injured over 100, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry. This marks a significant escalation from previous U.S. efforts, signaling a broader strategy to cripple the Iran-backed group and pressure Tehran. Here’s a breakdown of the Houthis, the strikes, and what’s at stake.
Who Are the Houthis?
The Houthis, formally Ansar Allah, are a Zaydi Shiite movement that emerged in the 1990s in northern Yemen, rooted in opposition to Saudi influence and Yemen’s government. Seizing Sanaa in 2014, they ousted the internationally recognized government, triggering a civil war that drew in a Saudi-led coalition in 2015. Controlling much of western Yemen, including the capital and Hodeida port, they’ve leveraged Iran’s support—missiles, drones, training from the Quds Force—to become a regional player. Their “Axis of Resistance” role, alongside groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, has solidified amid Yemen’s decade-long stalemate, which has displaced millions and deepened a humanitarian crisis in the Arab world’s poorest nation.
Why the New U.S. Strikes?
The latest U.S. campaign, launched Saturday, targets Houthi bases, leaders, and missile defenses in Sanaa, Saada, Hodeida, and other provinces. Trump, on Truth Social, justified the strikes as a response to the Houthis’ “piracy, violence, and terrorism,” citing their attacks on over 100 merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from November 2023 to January 2025. These assaults, which sank two ships and killed four sailors, aimed to pressure Israel over Gaza but disrupted global trade, halving Suez Canal traffic—a vital Asia-Europe route. Trump vowed “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis relent, a shift from the Biden era’s more restrained approach.
How Do These Strikes Differ from Past Actions?
Under Biden, the U.S. and U.K. struck Houthi targets over 260 times from January 2024, per the International Institute for Strategic Studies, focusing on degrading capabilities while avoiding civilian tolls or reigniting Yemen’s war. Trump’s approach, however, broadens the scope. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz told ABC that strikes “took out multiple Houthi leaders,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on CBS that key facilities are “no longer existing.” Israel, too, has joined the fray, hitting Hodeida and Sanaa since July 2024 over Houthi attacks on its territory, including a Tel Aviv missile strike wounding 16 last week.
What’s Iran’s Role?
Iran has armed the Houthis with drones, ballistic missiles, and technical expertise, despite denying direct involvement to dodge U.N. sanctions. As the strongest surviving arm of Iran’s proxy network—unlike battered Hezbollah and Hamas—the Houthis amplify Tehran’s regional clout. Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami insisted Sunday they act independently, sidestepping any direct retaliation threat. Yet, Trump’s team sees the strikes as a message to Iran, with Waltz warning Quds Force trainers could be targeted. This aligns with Trump’s push to restart nuclear talks with Tehran, following a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, though Iran’s response remains pending.
What Could Happen Next?
The Houthis, undeterred, vowed escalation Sunday, with leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi promising missile strikes on U.S. warships like the USS Harry S. Truman. They’ve already fired drones and a missile in retaliation, per a U.S. official. Analysts predict wider targeting—potentially Saudi and UAE oil sites—mirroring past attacks, risking oil price spikes. Shipping firms may continue avoiding the Red Sea, per BIMCO’s Jakob Larsen, hiking global costs. For Yemen, civilian casualties (31-53 reported dead) could fuel Houthi support, complicating peace efforts by U.N. envoy Hans Grundberg. Regionally, Trump’s aggressive stance might provoke Iran, though its muted response suggests caution amid nuclear talks.
Broader Implications
This campaign tests Trump’s second-term resolve, blending military might with diplomatic gambits. Success hinges on degrading Houthi capabilities without igniting a wider Mideast firestorm—a delicate balance given Iran’s shadow and Yemen’s fragility. For now, the Red Sea remains a flashpoint, with global trade and regional stability hanging in the balance.