U.S. Retaliates: Massive Strikes on Houthi Bases in Yemen
- International Affairs Middle East North America
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 2 minutes read
On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump ordered extensive military strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, marking a significant escalation in the region’s ongoing conflicts. This operation targeted various Houthi military assets, including air defences, radar installations, and missile launch sites, in response to the group’s recent threats to international maritime navigation in the Red Sea. The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Shia Islamist militant group originating from Yemen’s northern Saada province. Since the 1990s, they have been involved in Yemen’s political and military spheres, gaining control over significant portions of the country, including the capital, Sana’a, in 2014. Their association with Iran has positioned them within the broader “Axis of Resistance,” opposing Western and Israeli interests in the Middle East. In the months leading up to the U.S. intervention, the Houthis intensified their activities in the Red Sea, targeting commercial and military vessels. Notably, they threatened to resume attacks on Israeli ships if humanitarian aid to Gaza was impeded. Additionally, the group claimed responsibility for shooting down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over Al Hudaydah Governorate, escalating tensions with the United States.
The U.S. strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels represent a pivotal moment in the region’s complex geopolitical landscape. As the situation unfolds, the international community closely monitors the potential ramifications on peace efforts, regional alliances, and the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
