Early on Saturday, the United States renewed its attacks on Houthi group targets in Yemen by striking a radar site, following 24 hours of joint airstrikes with Britain. These strikes came after weeks of warnings to the Houthis to cease their attacks on ships in the Red Sea or face consequences.
Despite these warnings, the Houthis continued to launch drones and missiles, prompting the United States to follow through on its threats. This has led some experts to wonder whether the Houthis actually sought a conflict with the United States, and if so, why?
Gerald Feierstein, a former U.S. ambassador to Yemen, is among those who believe Washington has given the Houthis exactly what they wanted — conflict. "They were certainly trying to provoke a retaliatory response from the United States," he said.
Feierstein added, "They were confident in their ability to endure anything we undertook. They saw themselves as enjoying popular support."
The movement, which has controlled large swathes of Yemen for nearly a decade, reported that 73 airstrikes in total had resulted in the deaths of 5 fighters. They pledged to retaliate and continue their attacks, which they claim aim to support the Palestinians against Israel.
Following the initial American and British strikes targeting Houthi command-and-control centers, ammo depots, missile launch systems, and radar systems, footage aired by the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV channel showed hundreds of thousands gathering in Sanaa chanting slogans against Israel and the United States. Similar crowds assembled in other Yemeni cities as well.
Experts suggest that the Houthis' confidence stems from their years of withstanding Saudi-led attacks. However, the campaign led by the United States against the movement could be entirely different.
Douglas Sims, director of operations for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters on Thursday that the initial strikes targeted 28 locations with over 150 munitions. Upon assessing the damage, he expressed his hope that the Houthis had not intended to cause such destruction.
"If you were operating a ballistic missile launcher last night, you definitely wouldn't have wanted to be there during the strike. But no, I just wish they hadn't wanted us to carry out the attacks," Sims added.
A previous demonstration in Sanaa in support of Gaza (AFP)
Fighters in the Mountains
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Houthi group, has consistently maintained in recorded speeches that his movement faces a siege because of its faith.
Al-Houthi, known as a formidable battle leader before becoming head of the Houthi movement, oversees fighters entrenched in mountainous terrain who have battled a Saudi-led military coalition since 2015. This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, devastated Yemen's economy, and pushed millions to the brink of famine.
With al-Houthi's guidance, the group, which he leads in his forties, has recruited tens of thousands of fighters and amassed a significant arsenal of drones and ballistic missiles, largely supplied by Iran.
Following the strikes, Sims and other U.S. officials acknowledged that the Houthis might carry out their threats of retaliation.
The Pentagon announced that the Houthis had launched an anti-ship ballistic missile toward the Red Sea on Friday.
An American official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the limited casualties among their fighters in these strikes could be considered a success for the group, even if it resulted in diminished capabilities.
As tensions escalated, Brent crude oil prices rose by one percent on Friday due to fears of potential supply disruptions. Shipping data showed at least nine oil tankers halting or diverting their routes away from the Red Sea.
"Bloomberg" views the exposure to attacks by the "Great Satan," as America is known in what is called the Iranian resistance axis, under the banner of supporting the Palestinian cause, as part of the Houthis' plan. Now committed to responding, they have declared all American and British interests as their targets, and it would be foolish to downplay these warnings. The conflict is expected to enhance their standing both domestically and internationally.
The website points out that Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Iran, and their allies strive to increase hatred towards Israel and the United States across the Middle East, to the extent that any association with them becomes toxic and undesirable. Arab street outrage towards Israel and support for Houthi actions in the Red Sea in defense of the people of Gaza may now render any economic and security cooperation with Arab states that was underway before October 7 impossible.
America accuses Iran of supporting Houthi attacks in the Red Sea (Reuters)
More Strikes
Michael Mulroy, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East during the Trump administration, states that the U.S. military should be prepared to initiate further military action.
He says, "The United States must start planning a response escalation to more attacks in the Red Sea, Syria, or Iraq," calling for the inclusion of Iran's Revolutionary Guard in those targets.
Iran backs the Houthi movement as part of the "Axis of Resistance," which includes Hamas, Hezbollah, and armed factions in Iraq. America accuses Iran of supporting Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and providing military and intelligence capabilities for their execution.
The Houthis deny being pawns of Tehran and claim they are battling a corrupt regime and regional aggression. Nevertheless, Feierstein warns that the Houthis' challenge to the United States and its allies reinforces their image in the Middle East, a concern echoed by some current U.S. officials.
Feierstein stated, "This strengthens the Houthis' image at the regional level. It places them at the forefront among Iran's allies in the resistance axis."
"We should not give the Houthis what they want," he added, "and that's exactly what we've done."
