In a persistent effort to disrupt the Iran-backed Houthi group's ability to attack international cargo vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the United States has conducted airstrikes for the sixth time in Yemen within the span of a week. These strikes, reportedly carried out on Friday, targeted three Houthi anti-ship missiles and were aimed at safeguarding both commercial vessels and American naval interests in the region.
Despite initial hesitation to engage in military intervention in Yemen, the United States had previously opted to avoid striking Houthi targets in order to prevent the conflict from spilling over beyond Gaza's borders into the wider Middle East. However, with the persistent threats posed by the Houthi group, the strikes have become a necessary measure to ensure the safety of vital shipping lanes.
According to the Pentagon, the three sites targeted in the recent strikes were equipped with anti-ship missiles primed for launch towards the Red Sea. Such a precarious situation posed a significant risk not only to international maritime traffic but also to American naval assets. Hence, the United States decided to proceed with the strikes to neutralize this imminent danger.
It is worth noting that the Houthis have also experienced some level of success this week, given their aspirations of targeting commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea. On Tuesday and Wednesday, they managed to strike three ships owned by American entities, albeit with minimal damage that allowed the ships to continue their voyages. A similar attempt was made on Thursday, but narrowly missed its target. These incidents highlight the evident jeopardy faced by commercial shipping in the region.
Undeterred by the recent strikes, the Houthi group remains steadfast in its mission to disrupt shipping lanes in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. While President Joe Biden acknowledged that these strikes have not yielded the desired outcome, he affirmed that they would persist, suggesting that the campaign against Houthi aggression is far from over.
The ongoing situation has garnered attention and debate even within the United States. The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee emphasized that while the Houthi group still possesses ammunition, the recent strikes have undoubtedly depleted their arsenal to some extent. This acknowledgement underscores the continued effort to mitigate the threat posed by the Houthis in order to safeguard vital marine trade routes.
As tensions persist in the Red Sea, the international community awaits any further action and developments in this ongoing conflict between the United States and the Houthi group in Yemen.
