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The ongoing conflict in Yemen has taken on new dimensions in recent years, particularly with the rise of the Houthi movement—also known as Ansar Allah—and their growing confrontation with U.S. and allied naval forces in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. This article provides a comprehensive overview of who the Houthis are, why they are attacking U.S. interests, and a timeline of key events that have escalated regional tensions. This conflict resulted in Yemen under attack.
Who Are the Houthis?
The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, are a Zaydi Shia movement based in northern Yemen, specifically the Sa’dah province. The movement began in the 1990s as a religious and political response to the spread of Salafism/Wahhabism in Yemen. Named after their founder, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, the group evolved into a powerful militant and political force, especially after they took control of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, in 2014.
Although Zaydi Shia beliefs are distinct from Twelver Shiism (the dominant branch in Iran), the Houthis have developed a strategic alliance with Iran, receiving political and possibly military support. They oppose the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government, and they have also clashed with Sunni extremist groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
Why Are the Houthis Attacking U.S. and Allied Vessels?
Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched repeated missile and drone attacks against U.S. warships, Israeli-linked commercial vessels, and Western shipping interests. The reasons for these attacks are both ideological and strategic:
1. Solidarity with Palestine
The Houthis declared their maritime campaign to be an act of support for Palestinians in Gaza, especially in response to Israel’s military actions. They have openly stated that they will continue disrupting shipping until a ceasefire in Gaza is achieved.
2. Regional and Strategic Leverage
By targeting ships in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea, the Houthis aim to assert their influence over a vital global trade route. This allows them to gain international attention and disrupt the flow of goods between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal.
3. Alignment with Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”
The attacks are part of a broader regional pattern involving Iranian-aligned groups such as Hezbollah and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, who are applying pressure on U.S. and Israeli interests. Although the Houthis operate independently, their actions often align with Iran’s strategic interests.
4. Domestic Legitimacy and Propaganda
The conflict allows the Houthis to position themselves as defenders of Islam and resistance against Western intervention, thereby consolidating domestic support and diverting attention from internal crises.
Timeline of Houthi and U.S. Military Actions (Oct 2023 – April 2025)
October 2023
- U.S. Navy ship USS Carney intercepted multiple Houthi missiles and drones fired toward Israel.
November 2023
- Houthis seized the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader, raising global concerns about maritime security.
January 2024
- The U.S. and the UK launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen after attacks on international shipping increased.
February – March 2024
- Houthis continued launching anti-ship ballistic missiles, prompting U.S. retaliatory strikes on Houthi launch sites and radar systems.
April 2025
- A major U.S. airstrike on the Ras Isa oil port killed at least 74 people, marking a significant escalation.
- Houthis claimed to have downed a U.S. MQ-9 drone and fired long-range missiles toward Israel, which were intercepted.
For further details on the conflict, you can visit the Wilson Centre.
Geopolitical and Economic Impact
The Houthi attacks have forced major shipping lines to reroute away from the Red Sea, significantly increasing shipping times and costs. The U.S. and its allies have responded with Operation Prosperity Guardian, a naval mission aimed at safeguarding maritime routes in the region. Meanwhile, the Houthis have been redesignated as a terrorist group by the United States, further complicating peace negotiations in Yemen.
The Houthis have emerged as a major and unexpected threat to the U.S. and its allies in the Red Sea region, disrupting one of the most vital maritime trade routes in the world. Here’s an analytical summary of the threat they pose and why it is significant:
Houthi Threat in the Red Sea Region: Strategic Overview
Strategic Location
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, where the Houthis operate, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a chokepoint for nearly 15% of global seaborne trade, including oil shipments. By targeting this corridor, the Houthis are disrupting:
- International trade routes
- Energy supply chains
- Global shipping stability
Advanced Missile and Drone Capabilities
Backed with Iranian technology, the Houthis have developed and deployed:
- Anti-ship ballistic missiles
- Cruise missiles
- Explosive-laden drones (UAVs)
- Unmanned surface vessels (USVs)
These weapons are used to attack:
- U.S. Navy ships
- British and coalition warships
- Commercial cargo vessels linked to the U.S., Israel, and Western allies
This asymmetric capability allows a non-state actor to threaten military-grade navies with relatively low-cost tools.
Psychological and Economic Warfare
Even when attacks fail or are intercepted:
- Insurance premiums for ships have risen
- Cargo is being rerouted around Africa, increasing costs and delays
- The perception of insecurity affects global markets and investor confidence
The Houthis are using maritime disruption as a form of economic leverage and political messaging.
Challenge for U.S. and Allies
Despite the advanced naval capabilities of the U.S. and its partners:
- The Houthis are not deterred by airstrikes or naval blockades
- They continue to launch attacks from hidden and mobile launch sites inside Yemen
- U.S. efforts, such as Operation Prosperity Guardian, are increasingly expensive and diplomatically sensitive
This raises questions about the limits of conventional military deterrence against ideologically driven, decentralized actors.
Conclusion
The Houthis have transformed from a local insurgency into a regional threat capable of challenging global superpowers in one of the world’s most strategic waterways. Their use of low-cost, high-impact warfare, ideological motivation, and growing regional alliances makes them a complex threat that is difficult to neutralize with traditional military strategies.
Their strategic use of maritime disruption, religious narrative, and asymmetric warfare has placed them at the center of a larger geopolitical confrontation. Understanding the root causes, ideological drivers, and regional implications of this conflict is essential to grasping the future of stability in the Red Sea and beyond.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not endorse any group or conflict and aims to present verified facts to promote understanding of regional dynamics.
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