The U.S. resumes strikes against the Houthis, labeled as terrorists supported by Iran. President Trump demands Iran stop support, asserting the Houthis will be “completely annihilated.” Houthi Foreign Minister Jamal Amer confirms their conflict with America, while the U.S. denies civilian casualties and aims to restore navigation freedom in the Red Sea amidst ongoing humanitarian crises in Yemen.
The ongoing conflict involving the Houthis persists, with U.S. officials casting them as a terrorist organization backed by Iran. President Trump has reiterated demands for Iran to halt its support, asserting that the Houthis “will be completely annihilated.” Nick Schifrin reported on the Trump administration’s renewed airstrike campaign aimed at achieving success in subduing the Houthis, who recently launched missiles towards Israel from Yemen.
Recently, the U.S. Navy has intensified military operations in the Red Sea, initiating a series of strikes against Houthi positions, marking the first assaults on their leadership. Houthi Foreign Minister Jamal Amer expressed their stance, stating, “At the end of the day, we are at war with America,” while acknowledging potential civilian casualties, although the U.S. contests claims of such incidents, placing responsibility on the Houthis.
The Houthis have escalated their maritime actions, targeting vessels allegedly linked to Israel. Amidst ongoing tensions regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza, they intensified their operations, prompting President Trump to authorize the strikes, which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated will not cease until the Houthis halt their aggression towards commercial and military assets.
In an interview, Jamal Amer explained that the Houthi attacks would cease only when conditions regarding aid to Gaza improved. He noted, “When the siege on Gaza ends, the tension in the Red Sea will end.” As attacks continue, he indicated that U.S. Navy assets would also face retaliation. The Houthis seized control of Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2014 and remain engaged in a struggle against an internationally recognized government supported by a Saudi-led coalition.
Secretary Hegseth articulated that the U.S. objective is to ensure navigation freedom in crucial waterways rather than intervention in the Yemeni civil conflict. He emphasized that Iran’s support of the Houthis must be curtailed immediately. Despite claims from the U.S. and U.N. about Iran’s involvement in supplying the Houthis with advanced weaponry, Amer dismissed any notion that Yemen was complying with Iranian directives, reinforcing the perception of Yemeni sovereignty.
The Houthi governance structure has faced criticism for prioritizing warfare over humanitarian governance, including accusations of detaining aid workers and misappropriating humanitarian supplies. Amer defended these actions, asserting that food resources are distributed to civilians when under threat, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen as the conflict continues to evolve.
The U.S. aims to utilize its current military engagement to effectively curb Houthi advances and restore stability in the region, as the humanitarian situation in Yemen remains grim, illustrating a complex and evolving conflict that adds layers to international relations in the Middle East.
In summation, the conflict involving the Houthis is marked by intensified military actions from the U.S. Navy and a renewed airstrike campaign. While the Houthis, labeled as a terrorist group by the U.S., continue to assert their autonomy, the humanitarian situation in Yemen remains precarious. The international community is watching closely as these developments unfold, illustrating the challenging dynamics within the Middle East and the impacts of foreign intervention. Success in moderating Houthi aggression remains uncertain as these tensions escalate further.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
