The Houthi rebels in Yemen are reportedly experiencing a slowdown in their attacks due to dwindling supplies of drone swarms and anti-ship ballistic missiles, according to Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the top U.S. Air Force commander for the Middle East. The U.S. retaliatory strikes on the Iran-backed militia group have impacted their operations, leading to a decrease in the frequency of their attacks.
The Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with drones and missiles launched from rebel-held areas in Yemen. While these attacks have caused disruptions to shipping routes, the U.S. and its allies have responded by increasing military presence in the region and conducting retaliatory strikes on Houthi ammunition and weapons facilities.
Despite the challenges in assessing the exact extent of the Houthi rebels' depleted weapons supplies, Grynkewich mentioned that the U.S. has been monitoring and targeting their capabilities. The role of Iranian resupply in replenishing the rebels' weapons stockpile remains a critical factor in understanding the situation.
While the Houthi rebels claim their attacks are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, the targeted ships have had minimal connections to the parties involved in the conflict. Grynkewich highlighted the independent nature of the Houthis compared to other Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, noting that they are less responsive to Iranian influence.
Despite the potential for Iran to intervene and restrict support to the Houthis, Grynkewich emphasized that any such actions would take time to impact the rebels' capabilities. The situation underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region and the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict involving the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
