The United States has conducted over 100 airstrikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen since launching the latest phase of its air campaign against the Iran-backed rebels on March 15, 2023. This information was reported by a US defense official on a Wednesday, noting the ongoing military efforts to mitigate the threats posed to civilian shipping and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The strikes have targeted critical infrastructure, including command and control facilities, weapons manufacturing sites, and advanced weapons storage locations, according to the anonymous defense official. The Houthis, who have maintained control over significant portions of Yemen and have clashed with a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, continue to escalate their activities, claiming attacks against US vessels and Israeli interests.
In late 2023, the Houthis intensified their targeting of shipping routes, asserting that their actions were in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated following a surprise Hamas attack in October 2023. These Houthi attacks have severely disrupted maritime traffic, particularly through the Suez Canal, a critical shipping route responsible for approximately 12 percent of global shipping traffic. This disruption has compelled many shipping companies to take more expensive detours around Africa.
The Biden administration initially began conducting strikes against the Houthis, while former President Donald Trump stated last week that military actions would persist until the Houthis ceased posing a threat to maritime shipping. Trump emphasized the ultimatum for the Houthis on his Truth Social platform, clearly stating, “The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at US ships, and we will stop shooting at you.” He warned that if they continued their attacks, “the real pain is yet to come” for both the Houthis and their Iranian sponsors.
