Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Continue to Launch Significant Attacks Despite U.S.-Led Airstrikes
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have continued to launch significant attacks, despite a month of U.S.-led airstrikes. This week, they damaged a ship in the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait and reportedly downed an American drone. These ongoing assaults highlight the challenges in stopping guerrilla-style attacks that have allowed the rebels to maintain control over Yemen’s capital and much of the country’s north since 2014.
The attacks on shipping in the Red Sea corridor have raised concerns about the impact on international trade and the global economy. The recent attack on the Belize-flagged bulk carrier Rubymar, which was struck by two anti-ship ballistic missiles, resulted in the vessel becoming inoperable and its crew abandoning ship. While Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that the Rubymar sank, there has been no independent confirmation of this.
This attack is one of only a few direct hits by the Houthi rebels on shipping. In late January, another direct hit set a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker ablaze. The rebels also released footage of what they claimed was a surface-to-air missile bringing down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone off the coast of Hodeida, a Yemeni port city held by the Houthis. The U.S. military has not responded to questions regarding this apparent downing.
Since 2014, the U.S. military has lost at least four drones to shootdowns by the rebels. The Houthis have also claimed attacks on other vessels, including the Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier Sea Champion and the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Navis Fortuna. These attacks have targeted ships with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, jeopardizing trade routes between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
While no U.S. sailors or pilots have been wounded by the Houthis, the U.S. continues to lose expensive drones and fire off million-dollar cruise missiles in response to the attacks. The Houthis, on the other hand, are using cheaper weapons largely supplied by Iran to wage an asymmetrical battle at sea.
The U.S. military has been successful in intercepting and destroying many of the missiles and drones before they are launched. However, the Houthi rebels have not disclosed their own losses. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates that there are around 20,000 Houthi fighters in Yemen, who can operate in small units away from military bases, making them difficult to target.
The Houthi attacks have gained attention and support within the Arab world, particularly due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. By aligning themselves with the Palestinian cause, the Houthis have garnered sympathy and potentially broadened their support beyond Yemen’s borders.
If the Houthi attacks continue, it could lead to further escalation and force the U.S. to intensify its counterattacks across the already-volatile Middle East. The options for deterrence are becoming narrower, and a cease-fire in Gaza could be crucial in preventing further escalation.
The situation in Yemen remains complex and challenging, with the Houthi rebels demonstrating their ability to launch significant attacks despite U.S.-led airstrikes. The impact on international shipping and the global economy cannot be ignored, and finding a resolution to the conflict is essential for stability in the region.
