Houthis maintain pressure on Israel as US launches more strikes on Yemen

the United States of America. In spite of the United States' intensification of its military intervention in Yemen, the Houthis, a powerful rebel group in Yemen, have maintained their campaign against Israel and intensified Yemeni airstrikes. This situation exemplifies the growing complexity of regional geopolitics, in which smaller, local conflicts are increasingly intertwined with larger, global objectives. Houthi attacks rise during the Israel-Gaza War. The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have increased their missile and drone attacks on international vessels and Israel in the Red Sea. The Israeli military reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen on May 3, 2025, one of several such incidents that have occurred recently. The Houthis claimed responsibility for Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza, claiming that their actions were in support of Palestinians.

The Houthis' latest attempt to position themselves as a major player in the region's "axis of resistance," which also includes Iran and Hezbollah, can be seen in these attacks. They have not only disrupted international shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, two crucial routes for oil transportation and global trade, but they have also targeted Israeli targets. U.S. Response is Operation Rough Rider. The United States of America has intensified its military campaign against Houthi targets under a strategy called "Operation Rough Rider." As part of the effort to reduce the Houthis' ability to launch missiles and drones, more than 1,000 airstrikes have been carried out since March 2025. The campaign is aimed at important Houthi infrastructure like radar systems, weapons depots, and command centers. The strikes by the United States have had only a limited effect. The American strategy's viability and objectives have been questioned due to the Houthis' ability to move their launch platforms and continue operations.

The USS Harry S. is one of two carrier strike groups whose deployment has been extended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the United States of America. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Gulf of Aden. Airstrikes from sea-based platforms and maintaining maritime security require these naval forces. The risk of shipping in the Red Sea was real. The conflict has had a direct impact on global trade. As a result of Houthi attacks making the Red Sea more dangerous, numerous major shipping companies have redirected their ships away from the Suez Canal and around the Cape of Good Hope. This longer route will lead to skyrocketing costs and delays, which will exacerbate issues in the global supply chain that have been strained by prior conflicts and economic disruptions. The United States reportedly negotiated with Egypt to ensure the safe passage of U.S. military and commercial vessels through the Suez Canal using its air campaign in Yemen as part of larger strategic negotiations. Resilience and support from the region for the Houthis The Houthis have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of intense US military pressure. They appear to be receiving significant logistical support from Iran, as evidenced by their continued operations. The group's use of advanced weapons like long-range missiles and advanced drones demonstrates the extent of international support. Through the use of US strikes, the Houthis have also bolstered their domestic and regional propaganda by presenting themselves as defenders of Muslim causes, particularly the Palestinian struggle.

The United States and its allies have had difficulty isolating the group diplomatically as a result of this narrative, which has helped them maintain popular support in Yemen and elsewhere. Yemen's crisis is made worse by political uncertainty. The military's situation is made worse by Yemen's internal instability. On May 3, Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak resigned due to disagreements with the Presidential Leadership Council regarding reform policies and the government's overall direction. His resignation is a sign that anti-Houthi groups are becoming more and more at odds. Many of these groups are supported by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but they have different perspectives on important strategic issues. Salem Saleh Bin Braik, Bin Mubarak's successor as finance minister, is now faced with the daunting task of bringing Yemen's divided political landscape together while also coordinating with foreign powers engaged in military operations on Yemeni soil. The conflict between Israel and the Houthis, which is connected to the US air campaign in Yemen, runs the risk of growing into a larger conflict in the region. Implications for the world The United States' prominent support for Israel and protection of regional trade routes, as well as the group's alignment with Iran, indicate a growing polarization in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

There are increasing concerns that the conflict could spread to include additional regional actors or grow into a larger conflict that could put energy supplies in jeopardy and weak governments at risk. As a result of the situation, the Biden administration is in a diplomatic predicament as it tries to find a middle ground between military action, efforts to de-escalate regional conflicts, and resuming nuclear diplomacy with Iran.