President Trump has initiated a major military operation against Yemen’s Houthis due to their attacks on Red Sea shipping routes. The Houthis, connected to Iran, emerged from a marginalized religious revival movement in the 1990s. Their maritime actions support the Gaza conflict and threaten global shipping, prompting U.S. and British retaliatory strikes to maintain vital trade routes. The Houthis’ ties to Iran remain a contentious issue in the region’s complex geopolitical dynamics.
United States President Donald Trump has initiated the largest military operation in the Middle East during his administration against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which has resumed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. This operation has already resulted in the deaths of at least 24 individuals and is expected to continue for several weeks. This intensified military action coincides with increased sanctions on Iran by the United States.
The origins of the Houthis trace back to the late 1990s when the Houthi family established a revival movement for the Zaydi sect of Shi’ite Islam in northern Yemen. This movement arose in response to the marginalization of their community and led to several guerrilla conflicts with the national army and a border dispute with Saudi Arabia.
Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis, has transformed a small group of insurgent fighters into a formidable military force. Under his leadership, the Houthis have significantly expanded their ranks and acquired a substantial array of sophisticated weaponry, including drones and ballistic missiles, which are alleged to have originated from Iran, a claim Tehran refutes.
The Houthis gained significant control in Yemen during the civil war that erupted in 2014, following their capture of the capital, Sanaa. In response, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened militarily in support of the Yemen government. Despite a temporary peace effort, rising regional tensions have heightened the likelihood of renewed conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
In recent developments, the Houthis have engaged in maritime attacks as a demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict, targeting shipping routes they associate with Israel. As these attacks threaten global shipping routes, the United States and Britain have conducted retaliatory strikes to ensure safe maritime passage, which is crucial for international trade.
The Houthis’ affiliations with Iran are part of a broader alliance known as the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes other groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, all characterized by their anti-Israel and anti-Western sentiments. Though the Houthis publicly proclaim their independent motives, their connection with Iran remains a contentious issue, with both sides denying accusations of control and dependency.
In summary, the United States has launched a significant military operation against Yemen’s Houthis following their recent attacks on shipping routes, which escalated due to the ongoing Gaza conflict. The Houthis, emerging from a historical context of marginalization, have evolved into a powerful military group under Abdul Malik al-Houthi’s leadership. Their claims of Iranian support complicate the geopolitical landscape, as regional tensions continue to rise amidst an ongoing civil war in Yemen.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
