U.S. airstrikes in Yemen have resulted in significant casualties, affecting Houthi positions. The Houthis are intensifying maritime attacks in response to U.S. involvement, framed within the context of solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts. Tensions persist as Israeli actions complicate ceasefire efforts with Hamas.
Recent U.S. airstrikes in Yemen have resulted in the deaths of at least 53 individuals, including five children and two women, with 98 others injured, according to the Houthi-run health ministry. The Houthis, who control key areas of Yemen amidst Saudi-led airstrikes, have intensified their maritime attacks since November 2023, affecting global trade operations.
These U.S. military actions may persist for weeks as Washington increases sanctions pressure on Iran, seeking to bring Tehran into negotiations regarding its nuclear program. An Emirati official recently relayed a letter from former President Donald Trump suggesting nuclear discussions with Iran, which was dismissed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a mere “deception.”
In response to increasing U.S. aggressions, the Houthis have stated their maritime assaults are conducted in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israeli attacks on Gaza. The U.S. and allied nations view these actions as indiscriminate threats to international trade routes. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared that their group would continue to target U.S. vessels in the Red Sea as long as strikes against Yemen persist.
Under Abdul Malik al-Houthi’s leadership, the Houthis have expanded their military capabilities significantly, allegedly obtaining drones and ballistic missiles, which Saudi Arabia and Western nations claim are sourced from Iran. Nonetheless, the Houthis reject claims of being Iran’s puppets, asserting their operations are primarily domestically motivated. Their military spokesman claimed they had conducted a second attack on the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman without providing evidence.
The Houthis are part of the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” an alliance comprising anti-Israel and anti-Western militias, including Hamas and Hezbollah, with Iranian backing. Israeli military actions have severely weakened several regional Iranian allies since the Hamas attacks began in October 2023, though the Houthis remain a resilient force, along with pro-Iranian groups in Iraq.
Amid these developments, Israeli airstrikes have killed three Palestinian individuals in Rafah, Gaza, in retaliation for perceived threats from Hamas, emphasizing the precarious nature of the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The Houthis have threatened to renew attacks on Israeli vessels unless blockades on aid entering Gaza are lifted. Israel has cautioned the Houthis, linking their actions to the fates faced by Hamas and other regional adversaries, with warnings from Trump for Iran to cease its support for the Houthis.
In summary, the situation in Yemen remains tense as U.S. airstrikes target Houthi positions amid escalating regional conflicts. The Houthis, asserting their independence from Iranian influence, continue to threaten maritime traffic, linking their actions to broader Palestinian solidarity. The ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas further complicates ceasefire negotiations, reflecting a precarious balance of power in the region.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
